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Context: a boxing champion is arm-wrestling against another boxer. The
champion is on the verge of losing, but he still doesn't give up, so the other
boxer thinks:

> このチャンピオン君
>
> ちぎれそうでちぎれへん
>
> **生命線** ってヤツを **守る** 〝底力〟はなかなかやね…

In Kenkyusha dictionary I found these two examples:

> 生命線を守る _guard one's lifeline_
>
> 生命線を脅かす _threaten [menace] sb's lifeline_

So it seems that it is a common collocation, but what is the meaning in the
sentence above and in general? Other than referring to the lifeline on the
palm of one's hand or to something of vital importance, can 生命線 simply be a
synonym of "life"? Can it refer to a person's survival istinct?

[In the manga page](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Cf0LP.jpg), there's actually a
line that is "tied" to his fist. While [here you can
see](https://i.stack.imgur.com/TVLjA.jpg) how he "breaks" the line of the
opponent when he beats him.

I would also be grateful if you could explain the value of that で after ちぎれそう.
Thank you for your help!
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2019-02-27T05:07:14.983
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2019-02-27T07:53:10.407
2020-06-17T08:18:27.500
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question
meaning words manga
Meaning of 生命線を守る in the following sentence
This type of 生命線 (usually figuratively) refers to something that keeps you
alive when you are in danger. Loss of 生命線 means death (biologically or
figuratively). It can be a physical rope, food, oxygen, money, internet
connection, or anything depending on the type of danger you're facing. 命綱 is
also used in a similar manner.

In this manga, 生命線を守る底力 refers to increased strength exerted only when you're
close to defeat. (So...something like
[this](https://monsterhunterworld.wiki.fextralife.com/Heroics). In Japanese
there is a word
[火事場の馬鹿力](https://dic.pixiv.net/a/%E7%81%AB%E4%BA%8B%E5%A0%B4%E3%81%AE%E9%A6%AC%E9%B9%BF%E5%8A%9B);
is there a generic term for this in English?) That visible line is an
illustration of this concept.

で after ちぎれそう is simply the te-form of だ.

* * *

Bonus:

  * 生命線 also refers to [this line on the palm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmistry#Lines).
  * ライフライン in katakana usually refers to basic infrastructure of a society (electricity, gas, water, etc.) See: [ライフライン](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%83%95%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3)
  * _Lifeline_ in English also refers to emergency telephone counseling. This is sometimes referred to as ホットライン in Japanese.
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2019-02-27T07:29:51.367
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2019-02-27T07:53:10.407
2019-02-27T07:53:10.407
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answer