a matter of life and death

US /ə ˈmætər əv laɪf ənd dɛθ/
UK /ə ˈmætər əv laɪf ənd dɛθ/
"a matter of life and death" picture
1.

una cuestión de vida o muerte, vital

a situation that is extremely important and serious, often involving danger or survival

:
Getting this medicine to the patient is a matter of life and death.
Conseguir este medicamento para el paciente es una cuestión de vida o muerte.
For the trapped miners, every minute was a matter of life and death.
Para los mineros atrapados, cada minuto era una cuestión de vida o muerte.