lifeline vs reprieve

lifeline

noun
  • A source of salvation in a crisis. 

  • A particular crease in the palm. 

  • A line from the diver to a tender at the surface control point. 

  • A line to which a drowning or falling victim may cling. 

  • A means or route for transporting indispensable supplies. 

  • System or structure of vital importance to a community. 

  • On the deck of a boat, a line to which one can attach oneself to stay aboard on rough seas. 

reprieve

noun
  • Relief from pain etc., especially temporary. 

  • A document authorizing such an action. 

  • A cancellation or postponement of a proposed event undesired by many. 

  • The cancellation or postponement of a punishment. 

verb
  • To abandon or postpone plans to close, withdraw or abolish (something). 

  • To cancel or postpone the punishment of someone, especially an execution. 

  • To bring relief to someone. 

How often have the words lifeline and reprieve occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )