phrasal verb

living off

LIV-ing off

Living off (phrasal verb) means surviving financially on a particular source of money, often one that is limited, borrowed or provided by someone else. Example: “He's been living off his savings since the redundancy.”

phrasal verb

Surviving financially on a particular source of money, often one that is limited, borrowed or provided by someone else.

"He's been living off his savings since the redundancy."

"At 27 she was still living off her parents."

Eating only or mainly a particular food over a period of time.

"I lived off instant noodles for my entire first year."

"They lived off the land for six months."

Continuing to benefit from a past achievement or reputation rather than doing anything new.

"The band has been living off one hit album for twenty years."

How to use living off

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGetting the money or food you need from one particular source.

When to use it

Living off a person implies dependence and often mild disapproval; living on a sum of money is neutral. Living off of is common in American speech but redundant in writing.

Memory tip

Living out of a suitcase means travelling constantly, not surviving on a suitcase. Keep the three apart.

Easily confused with

living off → living on living out of

Common pairings

living off savings living off benefits living off the land living off scraps

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “living off” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He's been _____ his savings since the redundancy.

Synonyms

View more →

subsisting on surviving on sponging off relying on

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between living off and living on?

They overlap heavily, but living on names the amount or level you manage with, as in living on £900 a month, while living off names the source you draw from, as in living off an inheritance. Living off a person carries a hint of criticism that living on does not.

Is "living off of" correct?

It is standard in American English speech and increasingly in writing, but the of adds nothing. British usage prefers living off, and formal writing on both sides drops it.

What is the meaning of living off?

"living off" (phrasal verb) means surviving financially on a particular source of money, often one that is limited, borrowed or provided by someone else.

What is another word for living off?

Other words for "living off" include subsisting on, surviving on, sponging off, relying on.