like grim death en · ADP
Etymology
Association between grim and death arose at least by 1590. More information at Grim Reaper.
Meanings
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(qualifier:simile) With savage determination or persistence.
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:I hung onto the rope like grim death.