lead the life of Riley

lead the life of Riley

To live a life of great ease, comfort, or luxury. The phrase is likely of early 20th-century Irish-American origin, but to whom Riley refers is uncertain. Pampered from a young age after his father came into sudden wealth, Jonathan led the life of Riley compared to the hardships his older siblings faced.

See also: lead, life, of, riley

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

lead the life of Riley

 and live the life of Riley

Fig. to live in luxury. (No one knows who Riley alludes to.) If I had a million dollars, I could live the life of Riley. The treasurer took our money to Mexico, where he lived the life of Riley until the police caught him.

See also: lead, life, of, riley

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

lead/live the life of Reilly/ˈRiley

(informal) have a comfortable and enjoyable life without any worries: He inherited a lot of money and since then he’s been living the life of Riley.

See also: lead, life, live, of, Reilly, riley

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017