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happily

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happily ever after

This phrase borrowed from fairy tale endings is used to suggest that everything will work out perfectly in the future. It is often used after a couple has gotten married. It was such a beautiful wedding, and I just know that Allie and Michael will live happily ever after. It's not like real people just magically live happily ever after—it takes a lot of hard work!

See also: after, ever, happily

live happily ever after

Cliché to live in happiness after a specific event. (A formulaic phrase at the end of fairy tales.) The prince and the princess lived happily ever after. They went away from the horrible haunted castle and lived happily ever after.

See also: after, ever, happily, live

live happily ever after

Spend the rest of one's life in happiness, as in In her romantic novels the hero and heroine end up marrying and then live happily ever after . This hyperbolic phrase ends many fairy tales. [Mid-1800s]

See also: after, ever, happily, live