on borrowed time, live
live on borrowed time
To live or exist in a temporary and/or tenuous position, which may come to an end suddenly and abruptly. Accidents and disease can strike so unexpectedly that it feels like we're all living on borrowed time.
See also: borrow, live, on, time
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
on borrowed time, live
Outlive reasonable expectations, as in Our twenty-year-old car is living on borrowed time, or The vet said our dog is living on borrowed time. This expression alludes to time borrowed from death. [Late 1800s]
See also: borrow, live, on
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- be/live on borrowed time
- live on borrowed time
- living on borrowed time
- be living on borrowed time
- exist on borrowed time
- on borrowed time
- abortive action
- pull the rug
- pull the rug (out) from under (someone)
- pull the rug out