my $ref;
{
   my @array = 'element';
   $ref = \@array;
}              # Because the array is lexically scoped (my),
               # the array would normally be freed here*,
               # but the reference is keeping it alive.

print "$ref->[0]\n";  # Prints 'element'

$ref = undef;  # The scalar stops referencing the array,
               # so it's freed here.