1.
narrow escape from death; having one's life saved
A close call with death or serious danger. Implies that the person barely survived and was lucky to be alive.
命拾いをした。
I had a narrow escape.
シートベルトのおかげで命拾いした。
The seatbelt saved my life.
あの地震のとき、たまたま外にいて命拾いをした。
During that earthquake, I happened to be outside and narrowly escaped with my life.
USAGE:
Usually used with する: 命拾いをする or 命拾いする. Describes situations where someone came very close to death but survived. Often used when looking back on a dangerous event with gratitude or relief.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 命拾いをする (to have a narrow escape)
- 命拾いした (narrowly escaped death)
WORD FORMATION:
命 (life) + 拾い (picking up). Literally "picking up one's life," as if retrieving a life that was nearly lost.