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3. for the life of

for the life of

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for the life of you

to any degree at all She couldn't pronounce it for the life of her. For the life of me, I can't figure out why somebody would want to spend so much time watching TV.

Usage notes: usually used to emphasize negative statements, as in the examples

See also: life, of

for the life of (one)

Though trying hard: For the life of me I couldn't remember his name.

See also: life, of