Phrasal verb
live on
Definition
phrasal verb. to have a certain amount of money or a specific type of food to survive. You use this when talking about how you pay for your life or what you eat every day.
phrasal verb. to subsist or support oneself using a particular source of income or type of food. This phrasal verb is inseparable and requires a prepositional object in this sense.
Examples
“I can't live on such a small salary.”
“When she was a student, she had to live on pasta and canned soup for months to save money for her travels.”
“The indigenous population continues to live on the natural resources provided by the rainforest, despite increasing pressure from industrial logging and climate change.”
Examples
simple
“I can't live on such a small salary.”
contextual
“When she was a student, she had to live on pasta and canned soup for months to save money for her travels.”
complex
“The indigenous population continues to live on the natural resources provided by the rainforest, despite increasing pressure from industrial logging and climate change.”
Usage
The object is usually a currency amount, a source of funds, or a specific food item.
Teaching tip
Distinguish between the 'subsistence' meaning and the 'legacy' meaning (e.g., 'his work lives on') to avoid confusion in literary contexts.
Pitfall
They live on from their savings.
They live on their savings.
The preposition 'on' connects directly to the source of income without needing 'from'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
on
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
live + on + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Pre-1
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/live-on