In danger, as a witch's life was, when there (2,5)
I believe the answer is:
at stake
'in danger' is the definition.
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for at stake that I've seen before include "In danger; at issue" , "Being risked or bet on" , "Being risked, depending on outcome of event" , "Being risked, like money with bookie" , "To be won or lost" .)