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
1
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."
2
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."
3
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 notesIn 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
Common pairings
living off savings
living off benefits
living off the land
living off scraps
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He's been _____ his savings since the redundancy.
Synonyms
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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.
