peril of death

USAGE SUMMARY

"peril of death" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in situations where you are referring to the potential of death, such as a situation where one is taking a risk. For example, "He put himself in peril of death by going to the edge of the cliff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The duel's basic vision — of disputes bearing down hard on reputation and being finalized through peril of death — maintained a dark and dramatic hold on the imagination.

The New Yorker

And if Jews kicked out of Spain clung, at peril of death, to a religion with such an ultimately inclusive faith in the redeemable nature of humanity, who I am to reject that view?

The New York Times - Magazine

Zimmerman is expected to invoke the state's Stand Your Ground law, which gives wide discretion for the use of deadly force to citizens who feel "a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily harm".

Huffington Post

Under Florida's Stand Your Ground law, a person can use deadly force to protect herself if there is "a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another".

Huffington Post

The "Stand Your Ground" law, also known as Florida Statute Chapter 776, deals with justifiable use of force, holding that a person has conditional claims of self defense in situations in which they may have "held a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily harm to himself or herself".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

You also, apparently, see some appeal in a vehicle that has nearly one foot of ground clearance and can get you through not only every blizzard, but also every bridge-out-don't-go-this-way-on-peril-of-death natural disaster that might be thrown at your suburban nook or Rockies/New England country estate.

Forbes

To read, or hear, these words is to be taken back to a sixteenth- and seventeenth-century world of risk and daily peril, a place of death and sickness and warfare — a world in which Michel de Montaigne, for instance, lost five of his six children in infancy.

The New Yorker

While he was writing "The Corrections" and I was writing "Middlesex" we had a big exchange, talked about the novel, and the perils of the death of literature.

The Economist

Here are high adventure, low comedy, tales of peril and death and lessons to live by.

The New York Times

It baffles me that a state of emergency can be declared for people temporarily displaced by an earthquake, wildfire or natural gas leak, but not for 115,000 people who are already homeless, living in unspeakable conditions and under peril of illness, violence and death.

Huffington Post

The boat has come to signify the plight of refugees, too, who often endure perilous conditions and face death to evade peril and death at home (except, of course, in the instance of forced immigration).

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "peril of death" when emphasizing a formal or legal context, such as in descriptions of justifiable self-defense or historical accounts of duels.

Common error

Avoid using "peril of death" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for more common phrases like "risk of dying" or "life-threatening danger" for better clarity and tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "peril of death" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used to describe a state or situation characterized by a high likelihood of death. It often modifies nouns or verbs, indicating the presence of mortal danger.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "peril of death" is a formal prepositional phrase that denotes a high risk of dying. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, but its usage is relatively rare and confined primarily to news, legal, and historical contexts. While phrases like "risk of dying" or "life-threatening hazard" are more common in everyday language, "peril of death" is most appropriate when a serious or legal tone is required. Its main function is to emphasize the gravity of a dangerous situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

risk of dying

Focuses specifically on the chance of death occurring.

danger of mortality

Emphasizes the state of being subject to death.

threat to life

Highlights the potential for fatal harm.

life-threatening hazard

Underscores the severity and immediacy of the danger.

deadly jeopardy

Implies a severe and potentially fatal risk.

fatal risk

Directly points out that risk may lead to death.

risk of fatality

Highlights the risk involved that could result in death.

deadly peril

This alternative emphasizes the severity of the danger.

grave danger

Highlights the seriousness of the threat.

extreme risk

This alternative underscores the intensity of the potential harm.

FAQs

What does "peril of death" mean?

The phrase "peril of death" refers to a situation or condition where there is a significant risk or danger of dying. It often implies a formal or serious context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "peril of death"?

It's appropriate in formal settings, legal contexts (e.g., describing self-defense), or historical accounts where emphasizing the potential for loss of life is important. Consider alternatives like "risk of dying" or "life-threatening hazard" in less formal situations.

What are some alternatives to "peril of death"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "risk of dying", "threat to life", "life-threatening hazard", or "grave danger". These alternatives may be more suitable for informal or general use.

How does the connotation of "peril of death" differ from "risk of death"?

"Peril of death" often carries a more formal and serious connotation compared to the more straightforward "risk of death". The former might be preferred in legal or historical contexts, while the latter is suitable for everyday language.