noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
begging for one's life; pleading for one's life
Used when someone begs to be spared from being killed, often in a desperate or dramatic situation.
捕まったスパイは命乞いをしたが、聞き入れられなかった。
The captured spy begged for his life, but it was not granted.
彼は敵の前
He said he would rather die than beg for his life in front of the enemy.