a serious situation where people could die.

The results of the peace negotiations could be a matter of life or death for people in the war zone. (not used with the)

• not be much to look at
• not be on speaking terms
• not be out of the wood
• not be out of the woods
• not be right in the head
• not be short of a bob or two
• not be someone's cup of tea
• not be someone's department
• not be the end of the world
• not be the full quid
• not be the marrying kind
• not be the only pebble on the beach
• not be up to much
• not be up to scratch
• not be worth a dime
• not be worth a fig
• not be worth a hill of beans
• not be worth the paper it's printed on
• not be worth the paper it's written on
• not be worth the paper they're printed on
• not be worth the paper they're written on
• not be your bag
• not be your brother's keeper
• not break the bank
• not breathe a word