nine deaths and still alive (idiom); a narrow escape; new lease of lif
九 · 2 strokes
Depicts an elbow. Based on the original meaning "elbow", now written as 肘. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.
死 · 6 strokes
Depicts using a digging tool (歹) to bury a person (人). Based on the original meaning "to bury a person". The meaning of this character has shifted over time and now means "die".
一 · 1 strokes
A single horizontal stroke, representing the number one.
生 · 5 strokes
Pictograph of a sprout (屮) emerging from the ground (一).
他从战场上九死一生地回来了。
He returned from the battlefield having had a narrow escape.