Hold on to (someone or something) like grim death British verb phrase
To grip, grasp or hold someone or something tightly because you do not want to lose it or fall
As soon as the branch broke off, I held on to another branch like grim death.
When the robber tried to steal my backpack, I held on to it like grim death.
To hold something tightly, as though one's life depended on it.
The verb "hold" should be conjugated according to its tense.
If you fall for someone's trick the first time then they are at fault.
Are you going to mess with me again? Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.