give somebody the kiss of life
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishgive somebody the kiss of lifegive somebody the kiss of lifeespecially British EnglishMH to make someone start breathing again by blowing air into their lungs when they have almost drowned etc → kissExamples from the Corpusgive somebody the kiss of life• Why didn't you at least try to resuscitate her, give her the kiss of life?• The ship's doctor tried to give them the kiss of life but they could not be revived.• I tried to give her the kiss of life.• His girlfriend was trying to give him the kiss of life.