Also: Life of Reilly
Meaning of Idiom ‘Life Of Riley’
The life of Riley is an easy, carefree, comfortable life of luxury. 1Ayto, John. Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms. Oxford: Oxford U, 2010., 2Jarvie, Gordon. Bloomsbury Dictionary of Idioms. London: Bloomsbury, 2009., 3Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.
Examples Of Use
“I love being an independent contractor for the government. I work three of four months and then the rest of the year I live the life of Riley.”
“Judith is living the life of Riley now that she’s married. She spends half the year in Paris.”
“I may not live the life of Riley,” said Mr. Sterling, “but I’m comfortable enough.”
Origin
This idiom is often said to have originated in the later 1800s, with a popular song written by Pat Rooney in 1883 titled Is That Mr. Reilly? The song, a spoof on Irish, or so-called ‘Paddy’ ambition, chronicled what Reilly, the hero of the song, would do if he suddenly became rich. The song does not actually contain the phrase “life of Reilly.”
The expression does occur in another song of the early 1900s written by H. Pease and titled My Name is Kelly: “My name is Kelly Michael Kelly, But I’m living the life of Reilly just the same.’ The actual origin of the idiom is uncertain.
More Idioms Starting with L
- Like Herding Cats
- Look What the Cat Dragged In
- Losing My Religion
- Like Nobody’s Business
- Lot Riding On Something, a
More Life Idioms
More Proper Name Idioms
- For the Love of Mike Meaning
- John Hancock (your, one’s)
- Peter Out
- Raise Hell
- Jack of All Trades
- Nervous Nellie
- Slip Someone a Mickey (Finn)
- Smart Alec
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