take one’s life in both hands—(also: take one’s life with both hands) take control of one’s life instead of just letting things happen:
- Lelio is determined henceforth to take his life in both hands, but the past casts its shadow even now.
take one’s life in one’s hands—risk losing one’s life:
- You take your life in your hands simply crossing the road these days!
Note:
a) The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase put one’s life in someone’s hands—allow smb. to have complete control over what happens to a person:
- What makes you think I would put my life in your hands?
b) Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase take one’s life—(also: take one’s own life) commit suicide:
- A second Czechoslovak has tried to take his life as a political protest by setting fire to himself.