live up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “live up” mean?
To fulfil or meet a standard, expectation, or promise.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To fulfil or meet a standard, expectation, or promise.
To behave in a way that is worthy of a reputation, ideal, or principle. To maintain a high standard consistently.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The prepositional verb structure is identical.
Connotations
Slightly more common in formal or evaluative contexts (reviews, assessments, praise/criticism) in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “live up” in a Sentence
V + P (to) + NP (object)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “live up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The sequel didn't live up to the original film.
- She felt pressure to live up to her family's legacy.
American English
- The restaurant totally lived up to the reviews.
- He struggled to live up to his own high standards.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The new software must live up to the client's specifications.
Academic
The study's findings did not live up to its theoretical promises.
Everyday
The film was good, but it didn't live up to my friend's recommendation.
Technical
The prototype failed to live up to the required safety standards.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “live up”
- Incorrect: *'He lived up his promise.' Correct: 'He lived up TO his promise.'
- Incorrect: *'The product lived up.' (requires a complement)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an inseparable phrasal verb. The object always comes after 'up to' (e.g., live up to expectations, not *live expectations up).
No, it always requires the preposition 'to' followed by its complement (e.g., a promise, a name, expectations).
The subject is usually a person, group, or thing (e.g., a product, performance, event) that is being evaluated against a standard.
'Live up with' is not a standard phrase. 'Live up' is only followed by 'to'. 'Live with' is a separate phrasal verb meaning 'tolerate' or 'reside with'.
To fulfil or meet a standard, expectation, or promise.
Live up is usually neutral to formal in register.
Live up: in British English it is pronounced /ˌlɪv ˈʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌlɪv ˈʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It lived up to the hype.”
- “He lived up to his billing.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a ladder: to 'live up' is to climb TO the expected rung.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEETING IS REACHING A HEIGHT (fulfilling expectations is ascending to a level).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'live up' CORRECTLY?