English Meaning & Definitions
To make one's own decisions and follow one's own path without being controlled or overly influenced by the expectations or demands of others.
- “After years of following her parents' career advice, she finally decided to live her own life and pursue painting.”
- “It is important to live your own life rather than trying to meet the standards set by society.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “live one's own life”.
The phrase is a compound idiomatic expression derived from the Middle English 'liven' (to exist) and 'own' (belonging to oneself). It emerged in the 19th century as a cultural assertion of individualism, reflecting the shift from communal or family-dictated societal roles toward the modern emphasis on personal autonomy and self-determination.
Think of a bird leaving the nest: it finally gets to fly and live its own life.
Frequently Asked Questions About “live one's own life”
1. What is the meaning of “live one's own life” in English?
In English, live one's own life (idiom) is defined as: “To make one's own decisions and follow one's own path without being controlled or overly influenced by the expectations or demands of others.”.
2. How do you use “live one's own life” in a sentence?
“After years of following her parents' career advice, she finally decided to live her own life and pursue painting.”
3. What are English synonyms of “live one's own life”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “live one's own life”?
The phrase is a compound idiomatic expression derived from the Middle English 'liven' (to exist) and 'own' (belonging to oneself). It emerged in the 19th century as a cultural assertion of individualism, reflecting the shift from communal or family-dictated societal roles toward the modern emphasis on personal autonomy and self-determination.
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A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
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A specific duration of time equivalent to one hour and forty-six minutes.