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live down

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live something down

to overcome the shame or embarrassment of something. You'll live it down someday. Wilbur will never be able to live down what happened at the party last night.

See also: down, live

live down something

also live something down

to do well so that others forget something bad you said or did Ken is still trying to live down his comment that most of what's on the Web now is crap. After the way she behaved at the office party, I don't think she'll ever be able to live it down.

See also: down, live

live down

Overcome or reduce the shame of a mistake, misdeed, or the like. It is often put in the negative, as in I'm afraid I'll never live down that tactless remark I made. [Mid-1800s]

See also: down, live

live down

v.

To overcome or reduce some negative feeling about a negative event for which one is known. Used chiefly in the negative: You'll never live down the embarrassment of losing your bathing suit in the pool. I know you're not proud of your past, but you can't live it down by lying about it.

See also: down, live