live down

verb

lived down; living down; lives down

transitive verb

: to live so as to wipe out the memory or effects of
made a mistake and couldn't live it down

Examples of live down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Gene Kelly lived down the street, and Fred Astaire lived nearby. — Gustavo Egusquiza, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026 Sanborn, a Baptist minister, lived down the street from Hopper’s family and had cared for Hopper’s sister and wife. — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026 The spring peepers will then be tucked in their frozen state, and many of the migratory songbirds will be living down South where insects are active. — Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026 The break-in also rattled people who live nearby, including Porsche Hopkins, a regular customer who lives down the street. — Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for live down

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of live down was in 1842

Rhymes for live down

See All Rhymes for live down

Browse Nearby Words

lived-in
live down
live for
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Live down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/live%20down. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

live down

verb
: to live so as to wipe out the memory of
live down a mistake
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