There are plenty of life idioms, sayings and proverbs in English, so this list will make understanding them just a little easier. We have included a full definition and example sentence with each of these popular expressions.
As the famous saying from John Lennon goes, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” So, once you understand what idioms are, it’s time to explore some idioms about life.
Life idioms
A new lease of/on life
Having a new lease of or on life is a good thing; it means finding new energy and becoming more active. This could be after a life change, for example the birth of a baby or a new job, or it might happen after recovery from an illness or a period of sluggishness.
“I heard Muriel has a new lease of life after the birth of her grandchild.”
Note that this idiom can also refer to inanimate objects such as household appliances, and even businesses or organizations.
“I’m so relieved that my washing machine found a new lease on life. I couldn’t afford to buy a new one right now.”
Live life in the fast lane
People who live life in the fast lane enjoy a fast pace of living, usually in an exciting or dangerous way.
“Gosh, she’s really living life in the fast lane with all the parties and events she’s attending.”
Check out some more fast idioms here.
Live and let live
The saying live and let live suggests that you should focus on your own life and be tolerant of others, even if they do things differently to you. In other words, keep your nose out of other people’s business!
“Yes, it’s an unorthodox way to make money, but live and let live, I always say.”
Risk life and limb
Idioms about life are sometimes about taking chances. So when you risk life and limb (a limb is an arm or leg) you are doing something considered very dangerous. You are taking a big gamble on a choice that may put you in physical or financial danger.
“The police officer risked life and limb in order to save the people from the car crash.”
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
This is more of a proverb than an idiom, but still a wise saying to live by.
The phrase Don’t count your chickens before they hatch is telling you not to be too confident in the outcome of a matter until it happens. Equally, don’t make claims of success until after the event.
Just picture it: Although you may have ten eggs, they aren’t all guaranteed to produce healthy chicks. You’ll only know after they hatch.
“I know you were promised a promotion, but don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
You may also hear this saying shortened to just ‘Don’t count your chickens’. Most native speakers know the expression well and will assume people understand that the rest is implied.
All walks of life
Do you need a way to describe a diverse group of people who are all from varying social, economic, religious and ethnic backgrounds? Well, you could say that they are from all walks of life.
“This yoga course really attracts people from all walks of life.”
“We may be from all walks of life but we are united by our love of cricket.”
Variations of this walk idiom include ‘different walks of life’ and ‘every walk of life’.
Bite off more than you can chew
Everyone makes mistakes in life, but fortunately, we have idioms for these situations too. People who bite off more than they can chew have taken on a task that is too big or difficult for them to complete.
“I don’t know why Vera volunteered to run the project. I think she’s bitten off more than she can chew.”
A dog’s life
Although dogs are wonderful animals, this is not one of the more positive idioms about life. A dog’s life is an unhappy existence; a boring or unpleasant life.
“My new job means I have to live in the capital and it’s a bit of a dog’s life here.”
There are plenty of other dog idioms and animal idioms to take a look at.
Frighten the life out of (someone)
When you frighten the life out of someone you scare or shock them very badly.
“When you called you frightened the life out of me. I thought something bad had happened.”
“Don’t even think about having confetti cannons at your grandma’s birthday. They will frighten the life out of her.”
For the life of (someone)
This is a strange life idiom, given that it simply means ‘at all’ or ‘even one little bit, despite trying’. For the life of is used in negative sentences and followed by a pronoun relating to the person or thing in question; most often the first person singular (I).
“This is so annoying. For the life of me, I can’t remember my password for this account.”
“I can’t for the life of me find my car keys. Have you seen them anywhere?”
“He tried so hard, but he couldn’t for the life of him grasp the rules of chess.”
Adding For the life of me to a sentence is a way of emphasizing that even if your life depended on it, you couldn’t complete this particular action.
A matter of life and death
Many of these life idioms are very serious in nature, and none so serious as a matter of life and death. This phrase is used to describe a very important and serious, usually life-altering, situation. This is not a phrase to use lightly.
“I know it’s a big conversation to have but it really is a matter of life and death.”
This saying can be shortened to create the adjective phrase life-or-death, as in ‘a life-or-death situation’. To contrast with these life idioms, we also have some idioms about death for you to learn.
The high life
Most people dream of living the high life, which is another term for a wealthy and extravagant style of living.
“Gosh, I’m really living the high life at this beach club.”
Life is like a box of chocolates
This saying was made famous by the popular movie Forrest Gump starring Tom Hanks. The full version of this infamous quote is: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.”
Think about it: if you dip your hand into a large box of assorted chocolates, you don’t know which one you’re going to pull out. You also may not know what’s inside it until you take a bite. In the same way, life is not always predictable and will probably give you some surprises along the way!
“We didn’t plan for our second baby but I guess life is like box of chocolates.”
This saying shouldn’t be confused with Life is like a bowl of cherries, which means that life is a pleasure and very enjoyable.
Idioms about life
Larger than life / As large as life
Some of these idioms about life may sound similar but have slightly different meanings. If you are larger than life, you attract a lot of attention due to your strong personality and over-the-top appearance or behavior.
This phrase could also be applied to objects, situations, occasions, etc. Anything that is more exciting or impressive than average.
“Look at him in his larger-than-life outfit.”
“We all adored Jane’s larger-than-life personality.”
Note that you may hear bigger than life as an American idiom, but not in British English. This saying can also be changed to as large as life, meaning the same thing.
Bigger / Larger than life and twice as ugly
You could describe someone as bigger than life and twice as ugly if they make an unwelcome appearance ahead of you, or if they stand out in a bad way.
“I was at the park and all of a sudden my ex-boyfriend showed up larger than life and twice as ugly!”
It should go without saying, this is not a polite or kind way to speak about someone.
Life begins at 40/50/60 etc.
The age in this phrase can change as needed. When someone tells you on your birthday that life begins at 40, they mean that now you can really start living life to the full due to your life experience, financial situation, and skills. In other words, the best is still ahead of you.
“I know you’re not looking forward to this milestone, but as they say, life begins at 50.”
Find some more inspiring idioms about the future here.
The life of Riley
When you are living a carefree life, often a life of luxury because you are well-off, people may say you are leading or living the life of Riley.
“Look at her playing in the sandpit without a care in the world, living the life of Riley.”
Interestingly, nobody is really sure who this Riley is.
Live and learn
This is a great phrase to learn and understand as native English speakers use it often. The expression live and learn is a way of commenting that you have learned something through experience.
This could be something practical that you learn, but more often it is a surprising discovery about something in life.
“Well I thought I could trust him, but I guess you live and learn.”
“I never knew that bananas are a kind of berry. Live and learn!”
We use the phrase you learn something new every day in the same way. You can discover some more idioms about learning here.
Midlife crisis
When you get to around 40 or 50 and have a sudden lifestyle change, people may say you are having a midlife crisis. This is a time of self-doubt when you may buy a sports car, date a younger person, start traveling, or take up a new adventurous hobby.
“Have you seen Margo’s new hairstyle? If you ask me, she’s having a bit of a midlife crisis.”
Money can’t buy (you) happiness
This may be an idiom about money, but it’s also a good life lesson. Money can’t buy (you) happiness is said as a reminder that true happiness comes from within and not from the objects you buy.
“I don’t know why you keep buying all these items. Money can’t buy you happiness, you know.”
The best things in life are free
Similar to the idiom above, this is a great saying to remember as you make your way through life. The best things in life are free.
Simply put, the most important things like friendship, health, and the love of family don’t cost anything. In fact, you could say they are invaluable – but why isn’t invaluable the opposite of valuable?
“That health scare really reminded me that the best things in life are free.”
This is just one of many free idioms you can use in English.
Lead a double life
Leading a double life means having two very different and separate lifestyles – one of them kept a secret from the people in the other. It can be completely innocent, but more often than not, there is some indecent behavior involved.
“You know shy Mark in accounting? Turns out he’s a professional wrestler at the weekend! Talk about living a double life.”
No pain, no gain
You might hear this motivational phrase at the gym. The idea that sometimes a period of hardship is needed in order to make progress can be summed up as No pain, no gain.
“I have to run every day in order to be ready for the marathon. It’s hard, but no pain, no gain!”
The life and soul of the party
A person who is the life and soul of the party is someone you want to invite. They are lively, fun, good at mixing with other people, and probably the center of attention.
“If you’re throwing a party you have to invite Jimmy. He’s the life and soul of the party every time.”
Party idioms are a fun way to describe people and party activities.
Your life is in someone’s hands
There are a couple of ways to phrase this life idiom, but when one person places their life in the hands of another, it means that the second person has control and responsibility for the first person’s life.
“My life is in your hands, doctor. I totally trust you.”
“You’ve got to place your life in my hands and let me guide you down this cliff.”
A daughter is a daughter all of your life
The old family proverb A daughter is a daughter all of your life comes from a longer saying which also includes ‘your son is your son until the day he takes a wife.’
Perhaps this idea is slightly dated now, but it is saying that a daughter will be part of her parents’ family for her whole life (maybe taking care of them when they age), whereas a son tends to live a more separate life after he marries.
“I know your son doesn’t call often, but at least your daughter does. Thankfully, your daughter is your daughter all of her life.”
These idioms about life cover a huge array of topics; from important decisions to how to live your life. Did this list help you? Did we miss any? Feel free to let us know with a comment below!
