For many people, however, giving up the financial lifeline of a day job is frightening.

And for most pensioners, even those with supplementary pensions or savings, the state pension is their financial lifeline.

Increasingly, though, the lure of quick cash has turned the nation's loan companies into financial lifelines, particularly for those who do not understand the risks involved.

On the other hand, this insurance will help provide a financial lifeline when it is most needed.

What is the political price of a financial lifeline?

The emergency funding, worth £6.4 billion, is the country's sole financial lifeline but was suspended in protest at the government's failure to reduce spending.

A second financial lifeline would be forthcoming, they promised, if Athens passed the enabling law.

For many here in eastern Sicily, these are financial lifelines that allow whole families to get by in rocky times.

Collective selling of television rights is the financial lifeline for many clubs that would otherwise be squeezed out by the famous.

Consequently, the review was stripped of its financial lifeline and eventually ceased publication.