Definition

Verb: 1. To continue to exist or endure: To persist over a long period, often through difficult circumstances. 2. To survive or subsist: To manage to stay alive, typically by consuming something or relying on a particular source.

Usage

The verb "live on" is used to describe the act of continuing to exist, survive, or endure. It often implies persistence despite challenges or the passage of time. It can be used with a direct object (what one survives on) or without one (to simply continue existing).

Examples

• Without a direct object:
  • His legacy will live on long after he is gone.
  • The ancient tradition still lives on in that remote village.
• With a direct object (to live on something):
  • The small family had to live on very little money.
  • She lives on a diet of fruits and vegetables.
  • After the accident, he lived on hope alone.

Advanced Usage

• "to live on in someone's memory/heart": To be remembered fondly or vividly after one's death.
  • Her kindness lives on in the memory of all who knew her.
• "to live on borrowed time": To continue to survive or function longer than was expected, often after a crisis or terminal prognosis.
  • After the diagnosis, he felt he was living on borrowed time.

Variants and Related Words

• Live (verb): To be alive; to reside.
• Outlive (verb): To live longer than someone else.
• Survive (verb): To continue to live or exist, especially in spite of danger or hardship. (A close synonym for "live on").
• Endure (verb): To suffer patiently; to last or continue.

Synonyms

• Survive
• Persist
• Endure
• Last
• Subsist

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Live off: Similar to "live on," meaning to depend on something for financial support or sustenance. It can sometimes have a slightly more negative connotation of dependency.
  • He lives off his parents' generosity.
• Live through: To experience and survive a difficult or historic event.
  • My grandmother lived through the Great Depression.

Related Idioms

• Live on the edge: To live in a risky or exciting way.
  • As a war photographer, he lives on the edge every day.
• Make a living: To earn enough money to support oneself.
  • She makes a living as a freelance writer.

Verb

1. continue to live through hardship or adversity
   • We went without water and food for 3 days
   • These superstitions survive in the backwaters of America
   • The race car driver lived through several very serious accidents
   • how long can a person last without food and water?