What does “Live and learn.” mean?

"Live and learn" means that mistakes and failures provide opportunities to learn and improve.

What context can I use the in?

Example

I made a mistake, but hey, live and learn. I'll do better next time.

Example

Sometimes you have to fail in order to succeed. Live and learn is my motto.

Example

Don't beat yourself up over your mistakes. Remember, live and learn. Use them as stepping stones to success

Is “Live and learn.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Live and learn.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Live and learn.” effectively in context?

You can use "Live and Learn" to express the idea that mistakes and failures provide opportunities for growth and improvement. It encourages a positive mindset towards setbacks and emphasizes the importance of learning from them. For example, if a friend is feeling down about making a mistake at work, you might say, 'Don't worry, "live and learn". Use this experience to become even better at your job.'

1Personal Growth
After a failed attempt at learning a new skill, she didn't give up. Instead, she decided to live and learn and try again.
2Academic
Getting a low grade on a test can be discouraging, but it's important to live and learn from the mistakes and improve for the next one.
3Relationships
A breakup can be painful, but it's an opportunity to live and learn about oneself and what one wants in a partner.

Similar phrases to “Live and learn.”:

Every cloud has a silver lining

There is something positive or beneficial in every difficult or negative situation

Example

She lost her job, but every cloud has a silver lining - she now has the opportunity to pursue her passion.

Failure is the mother of success

Failures and mistakes are valuable experiences that lead to future success

Example

He failed multiple times before achieving success. Failure is the mother of success, after all.

Fall down seven times, stand up eight

No matter how many times you fail or face setbacks, keep getting back up and trying again

Example

She faced numerous rejections, but she kept going. Fall down seven times, stand up eight.

Learn from your mistakes

Use your mistakes as opportunities to gain knowledge and improve

Example

Instead of dwelling on your mistakes, learn from them and become better.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Live and learn.” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Live and Learn" is unknown.

Is “Live and learn.” common in everyday conversation?

"Live and Learn" is a common phrase in everyday conversation. It is often used to provide comfort and encouragement after a mistake or failure, reminding someone that it is a natural part of life and an opportunity for growth.

What tone does “Live and learn.” have?

"Live and Learn" conveys a tone of resilience and optimism. It encourages a positive mindset towards setbacks and emphasizes the importance of learning and growing from them.

Can “Live and learn.” be used in informal and formal settings?

"Live and Learn" is a relatively informal phrase that can be used in casual conversations with friends, family, and colleagues. It is also appropriate for more formal settings such as presentations or speeches, where the focus is on personal growth and learning.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

"Live and Learn" is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'I made a mistake, but hey, "live and learn". I'll do better next time.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to "live and learn"!' to imply the need for self-reflection and growth.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

make mistakes and grow
fail forward
turn setbacks into stepping stones
adapt and improve
embrace failure as a teacher

Antonyms

repeat the same mistakes
ignore the lessons
refuse to learn
stay stagnant
reject growth and improvement