Differences between live down and live it up

Live down means to overcome or forget a past mistake or embarrassing situation, while live it up means to enjoy oneself and have a good time.

Meanings and Definitions: live down vs live it up

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Live down

1Stop being embarrassed about something.
If I fail the test and everyone else passes, I'll never be able to LIVE it DOWN.

Live it up

1Have a good time by spending a lot of money.
She's been LIVING IT UP like crazy since she won the lottery.

Usage Examples: live down, live it up in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

live down

Example

She hopes to live down the embarrassing moment from the party.

Example

He lives down his past mistakes and moves on.

live it up

Example

They decided to live it up on their vacation and stay at a luxury resort.

Example

He lives it up every weekend, going to fancy restaurants and clubs.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Live down

get over

To recover from or move on from a difficult or unpleasant experience.

Example

It took her a while to get over the breakup, but she eventually found happiness again.

put behind

To forget or move on from a past event or situation.

Example

He decided to put the accident behind him and focus on his recovery.

bury the hatchet

To reconcile or make peace with someone after a conflict or disagreement.

Example

After years of animosity, they finally decided to bury the hatchet and start fresh.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Live it up

have a blast

To have a great time or enjoy oneself immensely.

Example

We had a blast at the beach party last night. The music was amazing!

paint the town red

To go out and have a wild and exciting time, usually involving drinking and partying.

Example

They decided to paint the town red on their last night in Vegas and ended up at a famous nightclub.

let loose

To relax and have fun without worrying about rules or restrictions.

Example

After a stressful week at work, she decided to let loose and dance the night away.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “live”

Phrasal Verbs with “down”

Phrasal Verbs with “up”

Differences in live down vs live it up: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: live down or live it up?

In everyday conversation, people use live it up more often than live down. This is because live it up is used for more positive situations such as parties, vacations, or celebrations. Live down is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about overcoming a negative experience. So, while both phrases are used, live it up is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of live down and live it up

Live down and live it up are 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 down and live it up

The tone of live down and live it up can differ based on context. Live down often carries a regretful or apologetic tone when related to past mistakes or embarrassing situations, while live it up typically has an enthusiastic and celebratory tone, especially when referring to enjoying oneself.

live down & live it up: Synonyms and Antonyms

Live down

Synonyms

overcome
forget
recover from
put behind
move on from
get over

Antonyms

remember
keep
maintain
preserve
dwell on
hold onto

Live it up

Synonyms

splurge
indulge
celebrate
enjoy oneself
have a blast
have a ball
make the most of

Antonyms

save
conserve
budget
restrict
limit
be frugal
cut back