take someone's life

1. Kill someone, as in They argued about invoking the death penalty for taking someone's life. [c. 1300]

2. take one's own life. Commit suicide, as in Most churches have long opposed taking one's own life. [First half of 1900s]

3. take one's life in one's hands. Take a serious risk, as in Climbing without oxygen is really taking your life in your hands.