stave off death

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stave off death" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiomatic phrase which expresses the idea of delaying or preventing something (in this case, death) from happening. For example, you could say, "Through advances in medical technology, doctors are now able to stave off death for longer periods of time than ever before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

We've also published a STEM-specific lesson, 'Chocolate Found to Stave Off Death!' Analyzing the Scientific Evidence Behind Health Headlines.

The New York Times

How To Stay Young (Thursday, 9pm, BBC1) has chosen Angela Rippon and TV doctor Chris van Tulleken to gently hammer home some cutting-edge health info on How To Stave Off Death For Three Additional Zumba-Filled Months.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

With simple tools such as clean delivery kits -- a bar of soap, a clear plastic sheet to lie on, a razor blade for cutting the umbilical cord, a sterilized umbilical cord tie, a cloth to keep the mother and baby warm and latex gloves -- midwives stave off death to thousands of families in complex situations, like the storm-ravaged Philippines or countries caught up in conflict.

Huffington Post

In her Nobel speech, Herta Mueller explains how she wrote to stave off death.

The New Yorker

It's like the man in 'Death in Venice' who puts on makeup to stave off death".

The New York Times

How the firefighters' tallest ladder reached only to the sixth floor, well below workers trying to stave off death two, three and four floors higher.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

But they focused on staving off death at all costs.

University of California, Berkeley

"We had a whole compartment to ourselves!" — as if this inexcusable luxury should at least have staved off death.

The New Yorker

Human life is terribly short, so on this day we celebrate staving off death for another revolution around the sun.

The New Yorker

A walker who was stranded on England's highest mountain for two days staved off death by walking nonstop.

The Times

He was 79 when he died in 1965, before pacemakers, implanted cardiac defibrillators, stents and replacement heart valves routinely staved off death among the very old.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stave off death" to convey the idea of delaying or preventing death, especially in contexts where medical intervention, lifestyle choices, or protective measures are involved.

Common error

While "stave off death" is a valid phrase, avoid using it in very casual or informal conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "delay death" or "extend life" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stave off death" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating an action taken to delay or prevent death. It's often used in contexts related to medicine, health, and survival, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stave off death" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe delaying or preventing mortality, as validated by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal contexts, it effectively conveys actions taken to extend life, with a general neutrality in tone. While "stave off death" is acceptable across varied sources, it is best used to communicate actions aimed at prolonging life rather than casual speech, as indicated by Ludwig's numerous examples from reputable sources. Alternatives such as "delay mortality" or "extend life" offer similar meanings, adaptable to different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hold off death

An alternative with the same meaning as "stave off death" with slightly less formality.

Ward off death

Implies actively defending against death, suggesting a struggle.

Forestall death

Highlights the act of preventing death from occurring or fully developing.

Postpone death

Focuses on delaying death, without necessarily implying a complete prevention.

Keep death at bay

Suggests maintaining a safe distance from death, indicating a temporary success.

Delay mortality

Uses a more formal term for death, suggesting a delay rather than prevention.

Prevent demise

Uses a formal term for death, focusing on its prevention.

Extend life

Highlights the lengthening of life, which indirectly delays death.

Prolong survival

Emphasizes the continuation of living, often used in medical contexts.

Defy death

Implies a bold resistance against death, often used in dramatic contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "stave off death" in a sentence?

You can use "stave off death" to describe actions or interventions that delay or prevent mortality. For instance, "Advances in medicine help to "stave off death" for many patients with terminal illnesses."

What are some alternatives to "stave off death"?

Alternatives include "delay mortality", "extend life", "prolong survival", or "hold off death". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it more appropriate to say "stave off death" or "prevent death"?

"Stave off death" implies delaying death, while "prevent death" suggests stopping it entirely. The choice depends on whether the action aims to postpone or completely avert death. In cases where complete prevention is not possible, "stave off death" is more accurate.

What is the difference between "stave off death" and "defy death"?

"Stave off death" suggests delaying or postponing death through certain actions. "Defy death", on the other hand, suggests a bolder, more dramatic resistance against death, often implying overcoming seemingly impossible odds. It's more about facing death bravely rather than simply delaying it.