I've seen real fighting, when it was a life-and-death matter.

Art was also literally a life-and-death matter, and the drawings here reflect that.

Even in life-and-death matters, the right course of action is not always obvious.

Security can be a life-and-death matter in the Nightside, and sometimes even more serious than that.

I say we stick to the life-and-death matters at this point.

The ability to taste food is a life-and-death matter.

"This is a life-and-death matter about one of her students," said the Countess.

Be just as careful as if it was a life-and-death matter, will you?

Or simply to let him see how vital were the life-and-death matters that hung in the balance.

Maybe there's more to it than I thought, though, if it ties into a life-and-death matter for you.