to save your life
couldn't (do something) to save (one's) life
slang Cannot do something well or at all. Ugh, this art assignment is so annoying—I couldn't draw an apple to save my life. Rachel is so selfish! She couldn't consider another person's feelings to save her life.
See also: life, save
to save (one's) life
Regardless of one's effort, passion, or desire. Used after a negative verb construction to emphasize one's inability to do it. Ugh, this art assignment is so annoying—I can't draw an apple to save my life. Rachel is so selfish! It's like she couldn't consider another person's feelings to save her life.
See also: life, save
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
to save your life
used in various expressions, especially can't (or couldn't ) do something to save your life , to indicate that the person in question is very incompetent at doing something.The first recorded use of this expression is by Anthony Trollope in The Kellys and O'Kellys ( 1848 ): ‘If it was to save my life and theirs, I can't get up small talk for the rector and his curate’.
See also: life, save
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- can't (do something) to save (one's) life
- can't do something to save your life
- back at it
- back at it (again)
- butt-wipe
- apple-knocker
- can't stand
- can't stand (someone or something)
- be on somebody's back
- be on someone's back