fight for one's life
Battle for survival
To fight for one's life is to struggle desperately to survive, whether literally resisting death from injury, illness, or attack, or figuratively battling against overwhelming odds: She's fighting for her life in the ICU, The small business is fighting for its life against corporate competitors.
The phrase emphasizes that survival itself hangs in the balance.
survival
Instinct to survive danger
- instinctInnate behavioral tendency
- desperationUtter loss of hope
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- emergencySerious sudden danger
existential · crisis · brink · vitality · resilience · tenacity · fortitude · willpower
self-preservation
Instinct to survive danger
- instinctInnate behavioral tendency
- desperationUtter loss of hope
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
emergency · existential · crisis · brink · vitality · resilience · tenacity · fortitude · willpower · grit
battle
Armed military engagement
grapple · wrestle · confront · clash · oppose · contend · strive · endure · persevere · cling