kiss of life
C1Informal
Definition
Meaning
A method of resuscitation in which a person blows air into the lungs of someone who has stopped breathing.
A critical intervention or action that revives or restores something that was failing or inactive, such as a project, economy, or relationship.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a medical idiom that has been metaphorically extended to non-medical contexts. The term is less common in modern first-aid training, where 'rescue breaths' or 'mouth-to-mouth resuscitation' are preferred.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly used in British English. In American English, 'mouth-to-mouth (resuscitation)' is the standard term.
Connotations
In both varieties, the literal meaning is neutral/medical. The metaphorical use can have a slightly dramatic or journalistic tone.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English, both literal and metaphorical. In US English, the metaphorical use is understood but less frequent.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] gave [Recipient] the kiss of life.The [Entity] needed the kiss of life.[Subject] administered the kiss of life to [Recipient].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “breathe new life into something”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The new investment provided the kiss of life the failing company desperately needed.
Academic
The discovery acted as a kiss of life to the stagnating research field.
Everyday
A passer-by gave the kiss of life to the drowning child until the ambulance arrived.
Technical
After establishing an open airway, the first responder began the kiss of life component of CPR.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The lifeguard kissed her back to life.
- (Note: Not standard. The phrase is a noun phrase. 'To kiss of life' is not a verb.)
American English
- (Not applicable as a verb.)
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable as an adverb.)
American English
- (Not applicable as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- kiss-of-life procedure
- kiss-of-life technique
American English
- mouth-to-mouth procedure
- rescue-breath technique
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The man gave the kiss of life to the dog.
- In first aid class, we learned how to give the kiss of life.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'kiss' that gives 'life' instead of romance—it's the breath that saves a life.
Conceptual Metaphor
BREATH IS LIFE / REVIVAL IS A LIFE-GIVING ACTION
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'поцелуй жизни'. While understood, it's a direct calque. The standard medical term is 'искусственное дыхание "рот в рот"'. The metaphor is best translated contextually, e.g., 'спасительное вмешательство'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'kiss of life' to refer to CPR in general (it's specifically the breath component).
- Confusing it with the 'kiss of death' (which means the opposite).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'kiss of life' used metaphorically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) includes chest compressions and rescue breaths. The 'kiss of life' refers specifically to the rescue breaths/mouth-to-mouth component.
It is not recommended. 'Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation', 'rescue breaths', or 'ventilations' are the preferred technical terms in formal and instructional contexts.
The common idiomatic opposite is 'kiss of death', meaning an action that ensures failure or ruin.
It is understood but less common than 'mouth-to-mouth'. Americans are more likely to use the literal term or the metaphorical 'kiss of death'.