1.
to narrowly escape death; to survive by a thread
To barely survive a life-threatening situation such as an accident, illness, or disaster. Implies that death was very close but was narrowly avoided.
Composed of 一命 (one's life) + を + 取り留める (to hold on to, to retain). A set expression meaning to survive a critical situation. Very common in news reports about accidents, disasters, and medical emergencies.
Common patterns
- 一命を取り留めた: survived (past tense, most common form)
- かろうじて一命を取り留めた: barely survived
- 一命は取り留めたものの…: survived but…
Similar words
- 九死に一生を得る: to have a narrow escape from death — a more dramatic idiom
- 命拾いをする: to have a lucky escape — slightly more casual
- 危機一髪で助かる: to be saved by a hair's breadth — emphasizes the closeness of the danger
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Common in written language, news reporting, and formal speech. In casual conversation, people might say 助かった (was saved) or 命が助かった instead.