live the life of Riley



Like this video? Subscribe to our free daily email and get a new idiom video every day!

live the life of Riley

To lead a life of great ease, comfort, or luxury. The phrase is likely of early 20th-century Irish-American origin, but to whom Riley refers is uncertain. Pampered from a young age after his father came into sudden wealth, Jonathan lived the life of Riley compared to the hardships his older siblings faced.
See also: life, live, of, riley

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Mahon-Irish
Vanessavə-NES-ə (English)English, Italian, Portuguese, German, Dutch
ShemSHEM (English)Biblical, Biblical Hebrew
KaseyKAY-seeEnglish
FerencFE-rentsHungarian
Theocritus-Ancient Greek (Latinized)