like grim death
prep_phraseEtymology Association between grim and death arose at least by 1590. More information at Grim Reaper.
1
With savage determination or persistence.
- I hung onto the rope like grim death.
- I crouched low and held on like grim death to a little rail near me.1944 May and June, “When the Circle was Steam Operated”, in Railway Magazine, page 133: