[, ]help given to a person or an organization that is in trouble; sth that sb/sth depends on （给陷入困境的个人或机构的）帮助；命脉；生命线◆The government threw a financial lifeline to the industry. 政府给予这行业财政援助。◆The deal will offer a much-needed lifeline to the firm. 这笔交易将为这家企业提供急需的帮助。