lifeline

USAGE SUMMARY

'lifeline' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a noun that refers to something that provides help, guidance, or support in a difficult situation. Example sentence: During this difficult period, my family has been my lifeline, providing emotional support and stability.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

With this in mind, I wanted an independent assessment from some of the 550 UN people, who are Iraq's lifeline.

The Guardian

He was vice president of the New York Central Railroad, the lifeline of American Express, and an active director of the Northern Pacific Railroad.

Britannica

Mussolini had invaded Greece in October 1940, despite the fact that he was already in difficulty in North Africa, where he was unable to cut off Britain's Mediterranean lifeline in Egypt.

Britannica

Tajik, on the other hand, has a lifeline through its close connection with Persian, but it too has been retreating before Uzbek, an unrelated language of the Turkic group.

Britannica

However, the old walled city of Jerusalem, containing the Western Wall, the last remnant of the ancient Temple destroyed by the Romans and held holy by Jews, was occupied by the Jordanians, and Jerusalem's lifeline to the coast was jeopardized.

Britannica

Under Ottoman rule, the canal linking Alexandria to the Rosetta branch of the Nile was allowed to silt up, strangling the city's commercial lifeline.

Britannica

Concern over what Americans regarded increasingly as their "lifeline" increased in proportion to progress in the construction of the canal.

Britannica

In cloverleaf the first component noun is attributive and modifies the second, as also in the terms aircraft, beehive, landmark, lifeline, network, and vineyard.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Trans Lifeline, a national hotline for transgender people in crisis, told the Guardian it saw its normal call volume triple on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

The Guardian

8pm BST: US authorities trying to put a rescue package together for insurance giant AIG agree a $20bn lifeline.

The Guardian - Business

The site, chester.linkinpark.com, features suicide prevention information including phone numbers for the US services Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Crisis Text Line.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lifeline", consider the specific type of support or connection you are describing to choose the most appropriate context. For example, "financial lifeline" specifies economic support, while "emotional lifeline" highlights emotional assistance.

Common error

Avoid using "lifeline" too casually for trivial situations. Reserve it for scenarios where the support is genuinely critical or essential, as overuse can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "lifeline" functions primarily as a noun. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its role in identifying something that offers crucial assistance or support during challenging times, exemplified by sentences where it denotes a source of salvation or an essential means of supply.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Encyclopedias

24%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "lifeline" is a very common noun used to describe something that provides crucial support or a means of survival. As Ludwig AI's analysis indicates, the word is grammatically correct and frequently appears in News & Media and Encyclopedias. Its function is to highlight essential aid during challenging situations. While versatile, it should be used judiciously to maintain its impact, reserved for scenarios where the support is genuinely critical. Related phrases include "essential support" and "vital connection" offering alternative ways to express similar ideas. As seen in the numerous examples, "lifeline" effectively conveys the importance of something that offers aid in difficult times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential support

Focuses on the crucial assistance provided.

critical resource

Highlights the importance of the resource.

vital connection

Emphasizes the importance of a link or bond.

indispensable aid

Stresses the necessity of the help given.

crucial link

Highlights the linking aspect that's essential.

saving grace

Focuses on the rescuing aspect of the support.

economic mainstay

Specifically refers to economic support.

umbilical cord

Emphasizes an essential connection to survival or support, similar to a literal umbilical cord.

financial support

Specifically refers to monetary or financial aid.

means of survival

Focuses directly on enabling continued existence.

FAQs

How can I use the word "lifeline" in a sentence?

You can use "lifeline" to describe something that provides essential support in a difficult situation. For example, "The loan was a lifeline for the struggling business."

What are some alternatives to using the word "lifeline"?

You can use alternatives like "essential support", "critical resource", or "vital connection" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "lifeline" in formal writing?

Yes, "lifeline" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing crucial support in business, news, or academic contexts. However, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, as alternatives might be more precise.

What does it mean when something is referred to as a "lifeline"?

When something is referred to as a "lifeline", it means that it is providing a crucial means of support, survival, or connection during a difficult or critical situation.