Meaning of 死中 in Japanese

Definition of 死中

しちゅう(shichuu) 【死中】

(n) fatal situation
死中に活を求める。
Your gift was like discovery of an oasis in the midst of a desert.

しちゅうきゅうかつ(shichuukyuukatsu) 【死中求活】

(n) finding a way out of a potentially fatal situation; seeking a way out of a desperate situation