life of Riley

life of Riley
a carefree, comfortable, and thoroughly enjoyable way of living: Since winning the lottery, he's led the life of Riley.
[1920-25; perh. after the Reilly mentioned in various songs popular around 1900, as "The Best of the House Is None Too Good for Reilly"]

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • life of Riley — life at ease, expression popularized by 1917, Amer.Eng., sometimes said to trace to various songs from c.1902 …   Etymology dictionary

  • life of riley —    A person who lives the life of Riley has a comfortable and enjoyable life, without having to make much effort.     He married a millionaire, and since then he s been living the life of Riley! …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • life of riley — ə(v)ˈrīlē, li Usage: usually capitalized R : a carefree way of living characterized by ease, comfort, and often luxury living the life of Riley * * * Informal. a carefree, comfortable, and thoroughly enjoyable way of living: Since winning the… …   Useful english dictionary

  • life of Riley — {n. phr.}, {informal} A soft easy life; pleasant or rich way of living. * /He s living the life of Riley. He doesn t have to work anymore./ Compare: BED OF ROSES, IN CLOVER, LIVE HIGH OFF THE HOG …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • life of Riley — {n. phr.}, {informal} A soft easy life; pleasant or rich way of living. * /He s living the life of Riley. He doesn t have to work anymore./ Compare: BED OF ROSES, IN CLOVER, LIVE HIGH OFF THE HOG …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • life of Riley — noun /ˈlaɪf əv ˈraɪ.li/ An ideal life of carefree prosperity and contentment. This is the story of the softships of the Third American Army. For the Yankee troops who were assigned to take and hold the Coblenz bridgehead are leading the life of… …   Wiktionary

  • life\ of\ Riley — n. phr. informal A soft easy life; pleasant or rich way of living. He s living the life of Riley. He doesn t have to work anymore. Compare: bed of roses, in clover, live high off the hog …   Словарь американских идиом

  • life of Riley — a soft easy life, pleasant way of living He has been living the life of Riley since he retired from his job last year …   Idioms and examples

  • life of Riley — See the life of Riley …   English idioms

  • life of Riley — life′ of Ri′ley n. Informal. inf a carefree, comfortable, and enjoyable life • Etymology: 1920–25 …   From formal English to slang

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