live off

USAGE SUMMARY

"live off" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to someone's mode of subsistence, or relying on something else for financial (or other) support. For example, "He was living off his parents' money until he found a job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We live off challenges".

The Guardian - Sport

"They cannot live off their income.

The New York Times

"I live off my wife's pension".

The New York Times

Y'all should live off your own hustle".

Independent

"We live off a lot of emotion".

The New York Times - Sports

"I live off my hot streaks.

The New York Times - Sports

Some 5m people live off the industry.

The Economist

"You can't live off one performance.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

They live off-grid, and farm to organic principles.

Independent

About 80% of students live off-campus.

Forbes

The majority of students live off-campus.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "live off", clearly specify the source of sustenance or support to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "live off" when referring to temporary or minor assistance. The phrase typically implies a primary or substantial reliance on the specified source.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "live off" primarily functions as an intransitive verb, indicating the means by which someone or something is sustained or survives. As shown in Ludwig, it describes reliance on a particular source for livelihood or existence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "live off" is a versatile expression that describes the means of sustenance or support. It is grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig, and enjoys widespread use across various domains, particularly in news and media. While suitable alternatives exist, "live off" provides a clear and direct way to communicate reliance on a specific source. Remember to clearly identify the source of support to avoid ambiguity, and consider the context to ensure the phrase aligns with the intended formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depend on

Focuses more on reliance for support or existence.

subsist on

Emphasizes survival with limited resources.

rely on for sustenance

Highlights the aspect of obtaining nourishment from a source.

be supported by

Indicates a passive reception of aid or resources.

draw support from

Suggests actively taking support from a specific source.

be maintained by

Highlights the act of being kept in a certain condition by an external source.

gain livelihood from

Focuses on earning a living through a particular means.

feed on

Implies a direct consumption or utilization of something.

be parasitic on

Highlights a negative connotation of relying on others.

scrounge from

Suggests obtaining resources through effort, often with a negative connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "live off" in a sentence?

You can use "live off" to describe how someone sustains themselves, such as "They live off their savings" or "Many animals live off plants and smaller creatures".

What's a suitable substitute for "live off"?

Alternatives to "live off" include "depend on", "subsist on", or "be supported by", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "live off of" instead of "live off"?

While "live off of" isn't incorrect, it's often considered less formal than "live off". The preposition "of" is frequently dropped in modern usage.

How does "live off" compare to "live on"?

"Live on" is a close synonym to "live off", both indicating means of sustenance. "Live off" can sometimes imply a more direct reliance on something external, whereas "live on" might suggest a more general way of surviving.