English · Phrasal verb Attested

live down to

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

To fulfill low or bad expectations.

Where it’s used: Used American English

She lived down to her reputation as an awful person.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “live down to” mean?

To fulfill low or bad expectations.

Is “live down to” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.

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