for the life of (one)
for the life of (one)
Despite one's best efforts; to any degree whatsoever. Often used in negative constructions. For the life of me, I can't remember where I left my keys! She couldn't understand for the life of her why people were so obsessed with celebrity gossip.
See also: life, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
for the life of me
at all; even one little bit. (Used with a negative.) For the life of me, I can't figure this out. I can't for the life of me climb up a mountain.
See also: life, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
for the life of one
Although trying hard, as in I can't for the life of me remember his name. This expression is always used hyperbolically, that is, one's life is not at all endangered. [Late 1700s]
See also: life, of, one
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
for the life of me
however hard I try; even if my life depended on it. informal 1998 Robert Newman Manners I cannot for the life of me think what the name of the lead singer was.
See also: life, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
for the life of (one)
Though trying hard: For the life of me I couldn't remember his name.
See also: life, of
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
for the life of me
I cannot/could not do something even to save my own life. The expression dates at least from the early eighteenth century and is generally used hyperbolically, that is, one’s life is not actually at stake. An early version appeared in Oliver Goldsmith’s The Vicar of Wakefield (1766): “Nor could I for my life see how the creation of the world had anything to do with what I was talking about.”
See also: life, of
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- mean (something) by (something)
- mean by
- change (one's) stripes
- change one's stripes
- change one's stripes/spots, cannot
- a month of Sundays
- take it with (one) (when one goes)
- take it with one
- anytime soon
- have it both ways