live down

/ lɪv /

verb

1. tr, adverb to withstand the effects of (a crime, mistake, etc) by waiting until others forget or forgive it

Idioms and Phrases

Overcome or reduce the shame of a mistake, misdeed, or the like. It is often put in the negative, as in I'm afraid I'll never live down that tactless remark I made . [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

In very short order, Daniels found himself trying to live down the phrase.

From The Daily Beast

Most probably they will not do anything, and then we can afford to live down such reports as these.

From Project Gutenberg

And now we will try to live down all that has been so painful, and turn our faces once again towards the light.

From Project Gutenberg

We learned that the men did not live down the creek but instead lived in New York State.

From Project Gutenberg

You would have to live down a prejudice created against yourself; that is all.

From Project Gutenberg

It opened the hearts of the people toward us, and helped us to live down suspicion and distrust as nothing else could have done.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bear
• endure
• exist
• get through
• handle
• keep
• last
• live
• recover
• remain
• ride out
• subsist
• suffer
• sustain
• weather
• withstand