survival

Related to survival: Survival kit, Survival skills

(the) survival of the fittest

1. Literally, the principle theory of evolution that the species that are able to adapt to their environments will continue to survive, while those that don't will ultimately die out. Nowhere do you see the survival of the fittest demonstrated more clearly than this enclosed ecosystem, where each species is in a constant struggle for food and dominance.
2. By extension, the people or things that can best navigate, adapt to, or compete in a difficult or tricky situation or environment will be much more likely to succeed. They always had a mentality of survival of the fittest in that office, putting huge workloads on people and telling those who couldn't cope with the pressure to just find another job. With so many different smartphones on the market, it really is the survival of the fittest right now.
See also: fit, of, survival
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

survival of the fittest

the idea that the most able or fit will survive (while the less able and less fit will perish). (This is used literally as a principle of the theory of evolution.) In college, it's the survival of the fittest. You have to keep working in order to survive and graduate. I don't give my houseplants very good care, but the ones I have are really flourishing. It's the survival of the fittest, I guess.
See also: fit, of, survival
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

survival of the fittest

Those best adapted to particular conditions will succeed in the long run, as in They've had to close a dozen of their stores, but the ones in the western part of the state are doing well-it's the survival of the fittest . This phrase was invented by Herbert Spencer in Principles of Biology (1864) to describe Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection of living species. By the early 1900s it was being transferred to other areas.
See also: fit, of, survival
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

survival of the fittest

the continued existence of organisms which are best adapted to their environment, with the extinction of others, as a concept in the Darwinian theory of evolution.
The phrase was coined by the English philosopher and sociologist Herbert Spencer ( 1820–1903 ) in Principles of Biology ( 1865 ). Besides its formal scientific use, the phrase is often used loosely and humorously in contexts relating to physical fitness (or the lack of it).
See also: fit, of, survival
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

(the) surˌvival of the ˈfittest

the principle that only the people or things that are best adapted to their surroundings will continue to exist: In this climate of economic recession, many businesses are at risk, and it really is a case of survival of the fittest.
Fittest means ‘most suitable’.
See also: fit, of, survival
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

survival of the fittest

In the long run the strongest succeed. This phrase was originated by Herbert Spencer (Principles of Biology, 1864) in describing Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection. It later was broadened to describe, for example, the success of a well-run corporation compared to failing businesses. The poet Sarah N. Cleghorn, however, pointed out (The Survival of the Fittest, 1917), “‘The unfit die—the fit both live and thrive.’ Alas, who say so? They who do survive.”
See also: fit, of, survival
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • (the) survival of the fittest
  • survival of the fittest
  • literally
  • translate
  • translate (something) from (something)
  • fare off
  • breathe (new) life into (someone or something)
  • breathe life into
  • breathe life into something
  • tailor to
References in periodicals archive
Overall, five-year survival rates in the area have improved for 11 out of 14 common cancers between 2007 to 2011 and 2012 to 2016.
Brum survival rate for rectal cancer proves lowest in UK; BUT GOOD NEWS FOR OTHER FORMS OF DISEASE
Across England, the figures show, the five-year survival index has risen from 43.8 per cent for those diagnosed in 2001, to 53.2 per cent for those diagnosed in 2012.
Cancer survival rates in spotlight
The one-year survival index was 71.5% for those diagnosed in 2016 - up from 62% for those diagnosed in 2001.
Survival rates on the up for people with cancer
In this study, survival times of patients with carcinosarcoma or serous adenocarcinoma were analyzed.
COMPARISON OF OVERALL SURVIVAL AND DISEASE-FREE SURVIVAL IN SEROUS ENDOMETRIAL CANCER AND UTERINE CARCINOSARCOMA: SEROZ ENDOMETRIAL KANSER VE UTERIN KARSINOSARKOMDA GENEL SAGKALIM VE HASTALIKSIZ SAGKALIMIN KARSILASTIRILMASI
Karen Stalbow, of Prostate Cancer UK, said: 'The fact that the survival chances for men diagnosed with localised prostate cancer appear to be even higher than men without a diagnosis is certainly positive, and may also indicate that a diagnosis can lead to increased personal health monitoring and healthier behaviours post diagnosis.
Men with early prostate cancer live longer than those without it -study
'This would provide valuable information on population-based of survival to guide policymakers, public health professionals and clinicians to move forward in formulating better cancer control strategies,' he said in his foreword.
Cancer fourth biggest killer in Malaysia, Health Ministry survey shows
Table-2: Correlation of clinicopathological features of oral squamous cells carcinoma with overall survival.
Clinicopathological prognostic factors of oral squamous cell carcinoma: An experience of a tertiary care hospital
'But studies of how climate influences animal survival have focused primarily on migratory birds or birds that live in temperate environments.'
Hot climate reduces survival of tropical birds, study finds
The researchers found that, compared with males, females had reduced disease-free, cancer-specific, and overall survival. In pooled estimates, the hazard ratios were 1.16, 1.23, and 1.08 for disease-free, cancer-specific, and overall survival, respectively.
Gender Difference in Survival Seen After Radical Cystectomy; Females have worse disease-free, cancer-specific, overall survival versus males with bladder cancer
While this trial found no difference in overall survival between groups, it did report a 5-year overall survival exceeding 40% in both treatment arms, which highlighted that Stage IV patients who underwent resection of all their disease had survival outcomes superior to outcomes previously reported (Ann Surg One.
Surgery after immunotherapy effective in advanced melanoma
Concern about the survival of tournament-caught walleyes prompted a study supported by a walleye tournament organization and fishery agencies in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Water Temperature Affects Walleye Survival
[USA], Dec 12 (ANI): Increasing physical activity has a positive impact on survival in lymphoma patients, finds a study.
Physical activity can improve survival in lymphoma patients
Although the 5-year survival rate is approximately 2%-3% in stage 4 NSCLC patients, it can be as high as 70% in completely resected stage 1 NSCLC patients (2).
Evaluation of Prognostic Factors for Survival in Stage I Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma
By: Noha Ragab CAIRO - 23 August 2017: Sahara Survival School to be holding an event under the name "Survival Skills for Kids" on September 9 in Wadi Degla from 8 a.m.
Teaching kids art of surviving in wilderness
You'll need an INCH bag-a large survival kit critical to sustaining your survival for some days.
What to do in case of fire, earthquake, disaster, even home invasion