The life of Riley

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Meaning

A carefree, comfortable, or luxurious way of living. Current but somewhat old-fashioned Regional use: United States, later wider English.

Origin

The American phrase is securely in print by 1911, with a related life of Willie Reilly example from 1909. The Riley or Reilly has never been identified with certainty. A popular Irish ballad figure, Willie Reilly, is the strongest candidate because early users made that connection, but the surviving song does not itself use life of Reilly to mean comfort, so the attribution remains tentative.

Variants

  • the life of Reilly
  • live the life of Riley
  • living the life of Riley

Usage Examples

  • Since selling the company, the founders have lived the life of Riley by the lake.
  • The barn cat leads the life of Reilly: warm stove, fresh cream, and no mice left to chase.

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