survival or extinction, cessation or continuation; critical juncture
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesDefinition
of a critical moment between survival and extinction
formalUsed in formal contexts to describe a crisis so severe that the very existence (of a nation, culture, cause) is at stake. The four characters capture the binary states of surviving/collapsing and continuing/ending.
At that critical juncture of the nation's survival or extinction, the people united as one to resist the foreign invaders.
This decision concerns the very survival or demise of the company; the board of directors must consider it carefully.
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Facing such a powerful natural disaster, this ancient civilization is once again facing a test of its survival or extinction.
During a critical moment of survival or extinction, the resilience of a people is most evident.