if (one's) life depended on it



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if (one's) life depended on it

Under any circumstances; no matter what. (Used almost exclusively with a negative statement regarding something that one couldn't or wouldn't do.) No way am I going to karaoke night. I couldn't sing if my life depended on it! No thanks, I wouldn't see that film if my life depended on it.
See also: depend, if, life, on

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
RuŽIca-Croatian
Deirdre['diədrə]
Noburuno-boo-ṙooJapanese
Astill['æstil]
CaseyKAY-seeEnglish, Irish
LynsayLIN-zeeEnglish (Rare)