meaning of "I live on borrowed/stolen time"

[Annaa]

Hi,

What does it mean in both cases?

Thanks a lot
Anna

[Mister Micawber]

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They mean that I should have died by now.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Diverhank]

To expand on MM's answer...a person who survived a near death experience like a heart attack is likely to use that phrase to indicate that his time on earth is borrowed/stolen from Death or God...

[Alan]

Hi Annaa,

Less dramatically also 'living on borrowed time' can refer to a situation where your good fortune/good luck has continued longer than you had expected.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Guy Fawkes Night for You

[Annaa]

Thank you very much, now I have some clue about it:)
Anna