for dear life

As they passed, accelerating, on to the bridge and felt the first bite of the incline beyond, one had a fleeting glimpse of driver and fireman, illumined as by the fires of hell, the one tugging at the regulator handle, the other shovelling for dear life.

1953 December, Henry Maxwell, “The Folkestone Harbour Branch: Some Evocations”, in Railway Magazine, page 809

After 12 successive league wins[…]Charlton were nobbled by the First Division's no-hopers, who profited from a goalkeeping bloomer then held on to their lead for dear life.

2000 March 12, Stuart Barnes, “Swindon stunner for Curbishley”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

I remember the heat, the deluge of rain-squalls that kept us baling for dear life (but filled our water cask), and I remember sixteen hours on end with a mouth dry as a cinder and a steering oar over the stern to keep my first command head on to a breaking sea.

2005, Mary Jane McKinney, Grammardog Guide to Conrad Short Stories, →ISBN, page 27

We want you to see that these years can be a rollercoaster ride where sometimes you have to hang on for dear life—but you will come through it.

2012, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Chicken Soup for the Girl's Soul, →ISBN

Each morning you get in the roller coaster car, strap yourself in, and hold on for dear life hoping you won't throw up or pass out.

2014, Jillian Carmichael, Middle School Crazy, →ISBN, page 1