live down to
C1 formal inseparable transitive
In simple words
To do exactly the bad thing that people expected you to do.
Literal meaning: To reach down to meet a lower level — the opposite of reaching up to a standard.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
formal
To behave in a way that confirms the negative expectations or low opinion others already had of you.
"The team lived down to their reputation as poor starters by conceding two goals in the first five minutes."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
The ironic antonym of 'live up to'. Used in journalism, criticism, and formal commentary. Implies that the person validated a negative prediction or stereotype.
Commonly used with
reputation expectations stereotype billing critics image
Forms
Base
live down to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
lives down to
he/she/it
Past simple
lived down to
yesterday
Past participle
lived down to
have + pp
-ing form
living down to
continuous
Understand "live down to" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Synonyms
confirm expectations validate stereotypes fulfill low expectations sink to the level of
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "live down to" on Looplines