紧急的, 紧要的; 关键的
They wouldn't ask for help unless it were a matter of life and death.
除非是生死攸关的事情, 否则他们不会请求别人帮助。
He told the telephone operator that his call was a matter of life and death.
他告诉接线员, 说他的电话是生死攸关的重要事情。