The word "lived off" is pronounced as /lɪvd ɒf/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The word "lived" is a past tense of the verb "live" and the "d" at the end of the word indicates the past tense. The word "off" is pronounced with the short "o" sound /ɒ/ and the double "f" at the end indicates that the consonant sound should be doubled. "Lived off" is a phrasal verb that means to depend on something or someone for financial or other support.
The phrase "lived off" refers to the act of depending on or relying on someone or something for one's survival or sustenance. It conveys the idea of deriving sustenance, financial support, or resources from another source in order to meet one's basic needs.
In a literal sense, "lived off" might be used to describe instances where an individual relies on someone else's financial support or resources to sustain their lifestyle. For example, a person who lives off their parents' or spouse's income is dependent on them for their financial needs.
Alternatively, "lived off" can also be used figuratively to depict one's dependence on a particular source or resource for their existence or wellbeing. This could include relying on government aid, social welfare, or public assistance programs to meet one's basic needs. For instance, someone struggling with unemployment or poverty might depend on government subsidies or food banks to live off.
In a broader sense, "lived off" can even refer to extracting benefits or advantages from a situation or environment. It could imply taking advantage of the resources, provisions, or privileges provided by a certain entity or circumstance. This might involve making use of available opportunities, such as living off the land in rural areas, or benefiting economically from a specific industry or market. Overall, "lived off" underscores a reliance on external sources for survival or support, whether it be in terms of finances, resources, or opportunities.
The phrase "lived off" is a combination of two words: "lived" and "off".
The word "lived" originated from the Old English word "libban", which means "to be alive" or "to have life". Over time, it evolved into "live" in Middle English and has remained generally unchanged in modern English.
The word "off" can be traced back to the Old English word "of" or "off", which has multiple meanings, including "away from", "separation", or "origin". It has retained its basic meaning throughout the history of the English language.
When combined, "lived off" generally refers to someone or something relying on or sustaining themselves using a particular source, often without any effort or contribution of their own. It suggests living off the resources, support, or efforts of someone or something else.