kiss of life

the kiss of life

Artificial respiration, that is, the blowing into the mouth of a person who has stopped breathing so as to force air in and out of their lungs. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. I was a lifeguard at the local pool for five years, but I've only had to give the kiss of life to someone once.
See also: kiss, life, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

kiss of life

1 mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. 2 an action or event that revives a failing enterprise.
2 1997 Anthony Barnett This Time She gave a decrepit institution the kiss of life, when she became its adversary.
See also: kiss, life, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • the kiss of life
  • give (one) the kiss of life
  • blow up a storm
  • breathe (new) life into (someone or something)
  • breathe life into
  • breathe life into something
  • lung
  • air (one's) lungs
  • air lungs
  • breathing spell
References in periodicals archive
The 46-year-old's wife Anne looked on helplessly as he fell, then climbed down to give him the kiss of life to try and save him
WALKER FALLS 170FT TO HIS DEATH; Wife tells of heartbreaking mountain tragedy: MOUNTAIN: HORROR
It was really rough and trying to give the kiss of life in those conditions wasn't easy.
Lifeboatmen fail in a bid to save man hurled from yacht
Miss Cyrrhian Macrae, director of corporate communications at the university, said she could not confirm the report that the students had sought to give the kiss of life.
Students tried to save friend with meningitis
DRAMA Dog owner is given kiss of life on the riverbank
He fought the current for 20 minutes to save her. He's a hero; Stranger rescues river woman, 70
WHAT better story for Valentine's Day than that of Dennis Hawkins who was saved by the kiss of life at his local?
Leading article: Lifesaving kiss was a real gift
A CRICKETER collapsed and died at a match, despite being given the kiss of life by former Coventry City goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic.
CRICKET ACE DIES DURING MATCH; Former Sky Blues star Ogrizovic tries to revive collapsed player
They gave her the kiss of life and rushed her to hospital, where doctors said she had been in a diabetic coma.
`Dead' patient to sue
THE papers yesterday were full of headlines talking about how Sarah Brown had given Gordon the "kiss of life" at the conference by getting up on the platform and introducing her husband prior to his speech.
Letter: Wife's support
SEX-SWAP soldier Jan Hamilton gave football star Davie Cooper the kiss of life as he lay dying from a brain haemorrhage.
THE DAY THAT I TRIED TO SAVE DAVIE COOPER; EXCLUSIVE Sex change soldier tells of tragic star's last moments SEX SWAP ARMY CHIEF WAS WITH FOOTBALL LEGEND WHEN HE DIED
Colleagues gave him the kiss of life but it is believed he had suffered a fatal heart attack.
Football cop dies
PC Carmichael leaped from his horse, Musketeer,cleared the boy's airwaves and gave him the kiss of life.
MY PC HERO
A MAN who almost died can celebrate Valentine's Day today - thanks to a kiss of life.
A LIFE-SAVING KISS; Friends' quick actions keep Dennis from death
QUICK-thinking fireman Dave Shaw saved a baby squirrel after it fell out of a tree - by giving it the kiss of life.
Squirrel is given the kiss of life; Pets and their people
And it was like a kiss of life for the research station.
To boldly kiss
Lauren's body language in the kissing shot shows her determination to get some form of romance from the pose, almost to the point where she could be a first aider giving the kiss of life.
Si's holiday snaps look passionless