facing mortal danger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "facing mortal danger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is in a life-threatening or extremely perilous circumstance. Example: "The hikers were facing mortal danger as they navigated the treacherous cliffs during the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The organisation expressed little or no solidarity with Africans facing mortal danger from their own governments and never recognised the legitimacy of African struggles against African tyrants.

The Guardian

Seghers depicts the constant dread of the time—"a fear of being persecuted by the state," which, she writes, "better defines to whom the state belongs than any constitutions or history books". And she demonstrates how, despite facing mortal danger, some find the courage to do what is moral, even when it isn't lawful.

The New Yorker

The video footage of Dubose's brutal shooting belied the cop's claim of facing mortal danger during the routine traffic stop over a missing license plate.

Vice

The video footage of Dubose's brutal shooting convinced an Ohio grand jury to indict Tensing on murder charges, despite his claim of facing mortal danger during the routine traffic stop over a missing license plate.

Vice

With 155,000 U.S. troops in Iraq facing mortal danger daily, braving the heat in body armor, in sandstorms, often going without food or sleep, and dealing with the toll of repeated tours, you'd think that the war might warrant at least one question at John McCain's Town Hall.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I, too, have faced mortal danger.

The Washington Post

In recent years they have faced mortal danger while carrying out the sacred rites.

The Guardian

Uprooted and pauperized, he faced mortal danger three times over, fleeing the Bolsheviks in 1917, fleeing Nazi Berlin in 1937, and fleeing the Wehrmacht in France in 1940.

The New Yorker

"You're thinking about a life in South Mississippi?" his father said in a skeptical voice, recalling days when a black man could face mortal danger just being seen with a woman of another race, regardless of intentions.

The New York Times

In three recent high-profile cases, police marksmen shot suspects after they went into situations with intelligence and briefings from senior officers that they should expect to face mortal danger.

The Guardian

Zach resisted, insisting he faced mortal danger cut off from all human contact, but his parents were resolute.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs than 'facing' to create more impact, like 'confronting', 'defying' or 'enduring'.

Common error

Avoid using "facing mortal danger" when the situation is merely difficult or risky but not genuinely life-threatening. Overusing the phrase diminishes its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "facing mortal danger" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to modify a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is encountering a situation where death is a possible outcome. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "facing mortal danger" is a descriptive expression used to convey that someone is in a life-threatening situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts to highlight the severity of a threat. While there are numerous alternative phrases – such as "in grave danger" or "in imminent peril" – "facing mortal danger" specifically emphasizes the potential for death. It's crucial to use this phrase accurately and avoid exaggeration, reserving it for situations where the threat is genuinely life-threatening.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in mortal danger

Focuses on the potential for death.

in grave danger

Emphasizes the serious and significant nature of the danger.

facing lethal threat

Highlights the deadly nature of the threat encountered.

in a life-threatening situation

Directly states the potential for loss of life.

under threat of death

Explicitly mentions the possibility of death as the outcome.

in imminent peril

Focuses on the immediacy and high risk of the danger.

confronting deadly risk

Highlights the active nature of facing a lethal hazard.

experiencing extreme jeopardy

Stresses the high level of risk and potential harm.

at death's door

Suggests being very close to death.

on the brink of destruction

Focuses on the potential for complete ruin or obliteration.

FAQs

What does "facing mortal danger" mean?

The phrase "facing mortal danger" describes a situation where someone is in a life-threatening or extremely perilous circumstance.

What are some alternatives to "facing mortal danger"?

You can use alternatives like "in grave danger", "in imminent peril", or "in a life-threatening situation" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "faced mortal danger"?

Yes, "faced mortal danger" is the past tense form of the phrase, indicating that someone encountered a life-threatening situation in the past. For example, "He faced mortal danger during the war".

How is "facing mortal danger" different from "in danger"?

"In danger" is a general term for any kind of risk, while "facing mortal danger" specifically indicates a risk of death. "Facing mortal danger" implies a more immediate and severe threat than simply "in danger".