Suchen
for the life of sb
01
used when one is incapable of understanding or remembering a particular thing
What is the origin of the idiom "for the life of someone" and when to use it?
The origin of the idiom "for the life of someone" is unclear, but it has been used since at least the early 19th century. It likely evolved from earlier expressions in English that emphasized the importance or difficulty of preserving someone's life. This expression is used to express a sense of frustration, puzzlement, or inability to accomplish a task or recall information, especially when trying very hard.
Beispiel
He couldn't remember the name of the movie for the life of him.
They couldn't locate the source of the noise for the life of them.
I couldn't find my keys for the life of me.
She couldn't figure out how to use the software for the life of her.
We couldn't understand the math problem for the life of us.
