idiom · neutral
live on borrowed time
UK/lɪv ɒn ˈbɒrəʊd taɪm/US/lɪv ɑːn ˈbɑːroʊd taɪm/LIVE·on·BOR·rowed·TIME
to continue living after the time you were expected to die or after a dangerous situation, implying limited remaining time
Examples
“After the surgery, he felt like he was living on borrowed time.”
“The survivors seemed to be living on borrowed time until a full recovery.”
“Use 'live on borrowed time' to stress precarious survival; it's often used in commentaries.”
Band 8 sentence
“Although the tumor was removed, the doctors warned that he might be living on borrowed time.”
Collocations
- seem to live on borrowed time
- live on borrowed time after
Common mistakes
live on borrowed time (used to mean 'borrow money')→live on borrowed time
They are live on borrowed time→They are living on borrowed time
Say it for a higher band
5survive unexpectedly long→6continue living beyond expected time→7+live on borrowed time
Synonyms
have a limited time left
Easily confused
survive against the odds
“Many patients survive against the odds after experimental treatment.”
Related words
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In Health
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