What are the definitions of “live down”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Stop being embarrassed about something.
If I fail the test and everyone else passes, I'll never be able to LIVE it DOWN.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “live down”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb live down is to stop feeling embarrassed or ashamed about something that happened in the past. It is often used when someone has made a mistake or done something embarrassing, and they worry that others will remember it for a long time.
What are the different verb forms of “live down”?
| Root Verb | live down |
| Third Person Singular Present | lives down |
| Present Participle | living down |
| Simple Past | lived down |
| Past Participle | lived down |
Example
She hopes to live down the embarrassing moment from the party.
Example
He lives down his past mistakes and moves on.
Example
She is living down the incident that happened last year.
Example
After a few months, he lived down the embarrassing moment.
Example
The incident was eventually lived down and forgotten.
What kind of phrasal verb is “live down”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“live down” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She lived down her embarrassing moment.
Example
He lived the mistake down after some time.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“live down” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She lived down her embarrassing moment.
Example
He lived the mistake down after some time.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “live down”?
Overcome a negative reputation or image that one has.
Example
He worked hard to live down his reputation as a troublemaker.
Good things to know
Does “live down” have an informal or formal tone?
Live down is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, but it can also be used in more formal settings, depending on the specific context.
