LIVES DOWN Meaning and
Definition
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"Lives down" is a phrasal verb that refers to the act of successfully overcoming or suppressing a previous mistake, embarrassment, or negative event in order to restore someone's reputation or regain their honor or dignity. It implies an individual's ability to recover from a particular incident that may have damaged their reputation or caused them public humiliation.
The phrase suggests that a person has taken appropriate actions or displayed commendable behavior to overcome the negative consequences of a previous incident. It implies not only moving on from the incident but also becoming a better version of oneself in order to prove that the mistake or incident was out of character or an exception rather than a reflection of their true self.
To truly "live down" an incident, an individual needs to show consistent, positive change in their behavior, attitudes, or achievements to disassociate themselves from the negativity of the past event. This may involve making amends, learning from their mistakes, and demonstrating growth and improvement.
"Lives down" is often used when discussing public figures or individuals known in specific communities, as their reputation can be easily tarnished and difficult to repair. By successfully living down a particular incident, an individual can restore their credibility, reputation, or integrity, enabling them to move forward and regain the respect and trust of others.
Common Misspellings for LIVES DOWN
- livs down
- kives down
- pives down
- oives down
- luves down
- ljves down
- lkves down
- loves down
- l9ves down
- l8ves down
- lices down
- libes down
- liges down
- lifes down
- livws down
- livss down
- livds down
- livrs down
- liv4s down
- liv3s down
Etymology of LIVES DOWN
The phrase "lives down" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two separate words: "lives" and "down".
"Lives" is the plural form of the noun "life", which comes from the Old English word "līf" and is related to the Low German "lēv" and Dutch "lijk" meaning "body". The word traces back to the Proto-Germanic root "libam" meaning "life".
"Down" is an adverb that can mean "from a higher to a lower place" or "toward the ground". It originates from the Old English word "dūn" meaning "hill" or "downward slope".
When used together, "lives down" typically means to overcome or outlive a negative experience, action, or reputation. However, this phrase is not commonly used as a single term with a unique etymology.
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