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Phrasal verbs "live by" vs "live off"

Differences between live by and live off

Live by means to follow a particular set of principles or rules, while live off means to rely on someone or something for financial support.

Meanings and Definitions: live by vs live off

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Live by

  • 1Follow a belief system to guide your behaviour.

    He tries hard to LIVE BY the Bible.

Live off

  • 1Use money earned.

    They find it hard to LIVE OFF the money they make.

  • 2Be financially supported.

    He's 40 and he still LIVES OFF his parents.

Usage Examples: live by, live off in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

live by

Example

She tries to live by the golden rule: treat others as you want to be treated.

Example

He lives by the teachings of his religion.

live off

Example

Many young adults live off their parents while they attend college.

Example

She lives off her savings while looking for a new job.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Live by

adhere to

To follow or stick to a particular set of principles or rules.

Example

She always adheres to her strict exercise routine, even when she's busy.

abide by

To obey or follow a particular law or rule.

Example

As a citizen, it's important to abide by the laws of the country.

stand by

To support or remain loyal to a particular belief or principle.

Example

Even when things got tough, he always stood by his decision to start his own business.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Live off

depend on

To rely on someone or something for support or assistance.

Example

She had to depend on her parents for financial support while she was in college.

leech off

To rely on someone else's resources or income without contributing anything in return.

Example

He's always leeching off his friends for free meals and drinks.

sponge off

To rely on someone else's resources or income without contributing anything in return.

Example

She's been sponging off her boyfriend for months, and he's starting to get tired of it.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “by”

Phrasal Verbs with “off”

Differences in live by vs live off: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: live by or live off?

In daily conversation, people use live off more often than live by. This is because live off is used to describe a common situation where someone relies on another person or source of income. Live by is not used as much, but it's still a common phrase that people use to describe their values or beliefs.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of live by and live off

Live by and live off are both informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of live by and live off

The tone of live by and live off can differ based on context. Live by often carries a serious or philosophical tone when related to values or beliefs, while live off typically has a practical and sometimes negative tone, especially when referring to relying on someone else's income.

live by & live off: Synonyms and Antonyms

Live by

Synonyms

Live off

Synonyms

  • depend on
  • rely on
  • subsist on
  • survive on
  • sustain oneself on

Antonyms

  • support oneself
  • be independent
  • be self-sufficient
  • provide for oneself

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