real lifesaver
1
3.5
- noun
- Informal
- Pal, you are a real lifesaver.
Examples
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That was a real lifesaver.
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Your husband has been a real lifesaver, you know?
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Because if it is, you could be a real lifesaver."
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I mean, a real lifesaver.
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-A real lifesaver, you hear me?
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This recipe contest has been a real lifesaver.
Blog text (9) -
"A real lifesaver, that's sure.
Blog text (7) -
I've enjoyed them while camping, and they'd be a real lifesaver in a situation like the one you were in.
Blog text (9) -
When the storm knocked out our power, the generator turned out to be a real lifesaver for our family.
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The counselor was a real lifesaver during my difficult time, providing support and guidance when I needed it most.
Synonyms
61
1.4
A person who saves people or animals from danger
30
3.0
A person or thing that helps you a lot when you are in trouble
18
4.6
A person who rescues others from danger
7
4.0
A rope you throw to rescue someone in water
7
5.9
A person who rescues others from danger
Antonyms
How Helpful
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'lifesaver' denotes someone who rescues or relieves difficulty and 'real' functions as an intensifying adjective meaning genuine/very, so the phrase conveys 'a genuinely very helpful person.' This adjective–noun pattern is common and cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Real lifesaver comes from the picture of a lifesaver saving someone in danger, like a person throwing a life ring to someone in the water. So calling someone a real lifesaver means they 'gave very important help' when it was badly needed.