Welcome to our exploration of “live” idioms! Idioms are phrases where the words together have a different meaning than the individual words suggest. This can make English fun but confusing! Here, we’ll look at phrases that include the word “live” or are about living in a special way. We’ve made it simple so even kids can understand.
Live Idioms
Here are 20 live idioms in English.
1. Live and learn
Meaning: Gain wisdom from experiences
Example: I forgot my raincoat, but I live and learn.
2. Live it up
Meaning: Enjoy life to the fullest
Example: It’s your birthday, so live it up!
3. Live on the edge
Meaning: Lead a risky lifestyle
Example: He loves skydiving and living on the edge.
4. Live wire
Meaning: Energetic and lively person
Example: She’s a live wire at every party.
5. Live by the sword, die by the sword
Meaning: Actions have consequences
Example: He fought aggressively and lived by the sword.
6. Live in an ivory tower
Meaning: Isolated from life’s realities
Example: They discuss poverty from their ivory tower.
7. Live out of a suitcase
Meaning: Travel frequently
Example: With his new job, he lives out of a suitcase.
8. Live the dream
Meaning: Enjoy a perfect life situation
Example: Winning the lottery meant he could live the dream.
9. To live down
Meaning: Overcome something embarrassing
Example: He’s still trying to live down that speech mistake.
10. Live to tell the tale
Meaning: Survive a dangerous experience
Example: After the accident, he lived to tell the tale.
11. Live and let live
Meaning: Let others live as they choose
Example: She’s all about live and let live.
12. Live in the moment
Meaning: Focus on the present, not future or past
Example: At the beach, I just live in the moment.
13. Where you live
Meaning: Personal or sensitive area of life
Example: That criticism really hit where I live.
14. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them
Meaning: Said about someone both troublesome and loved
Example: My sister is annoying but can’t live without her.
15. Live the life of Riley
Meaning: Live an easy and pleasant life
Example: He’s retiring to live the life of Riley.
16. Live under a rock
Meaning: Be unaware of things happening around
Example: You haven’t seen that movie? Living under a rock?
17. Live like a king
Meaning: Live with great luxury and comfort
Example: On his vacation, he lived like a king.
18. Long live
Meaning: Wish for a long life
Example: Long live the queen!
19. Lead a double life
Meaning: Have two distinct ways of life
Example: He was secretly leading a double life.
20. To live large
Meaning: Spend a lot and live extravagantly
Example: After his promotion, he began to live large.
