life debt
Rescue creates bond
A life debt is an obligation owed to someone who saved your life, binding you to repay them with equivalent service or loyalty.
The concept appears across cultures and prominently in fantasy and science fiction—Star Wars popularized it through Chewbacca's bond to Han Solo.
He swore a life debt to the woman who pulled him from the river.
The term implies a debt that cannot be easily discharged, often lasting until the debtor saves the creditor's life in return.
- obligationRequired task or commitment
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- swornBound by formal promise
- blood oathVow sealed by bloodshed
- gratitudeThankfulness for kindness received
owe you one · saved · rescue · bondage · loyalty · owing · repayment · pay it forward · vow · servitude · fealty · honor bound · sacrifice · Wookiee · Chewbacca · Han Solo · pledge · bound
- fictional customsred wedding, naming day, Festivus, trial by combat, initiation rite
- fictional rulespirate code
- magical oathsoath, vow, blood oath, pact, covenant
life debtblood feud
Inherited cycle of retribution
vendetta · mortal enemy · sworn enemy · nemesis · death warrant
life debtclean slate
Record wiped clear
absolution · quits · release · square · even
life, debt, live, lives, lived, lively, liveliness, lifelong, lifeless