lifeline | BrE ˈlʌɪflʌɪn, AmE ˈlaɪfˌlaɪn | noun ① (for climbing) 保险绳 bǎoxiǎnshéng ; (on ship) 救生索 jiùshēngsuǒ ② figurative (indispensable aid) 生命线 shēngmìngxiàn ▸ the telephone was her lifeline 电话是赖以生存的依靠 ▸ the economic lifeline of the surrounding communities 周围地区的经济命脉 |