# live down

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/live-down
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To cause others to forget about something embarrassing that happened to oneself.

## Examples

- I hope I can live down that embarrassing mistake.
- He tripped on stage during the graduation ceremony and worried he would never live it down.
- Despite his many professional achievements, he struggled to live down the public scandal that had tarnished his reputation early in his career.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.