live up
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up
Meanings
Match a particular standard or expectation (live up to)
Why “up”? A standard is an expected level. A person or thing is good enough when they reach it.
“The film didn't live up to our expectations.”
“The hotel did not live up to its photos.”
Don't confuse with
Live up means match a standard or hope. Live off means use one source for money or food.
Test yourself
“The film didn't live up to our expectations.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
live off
A contrast learners often mix up
Survive on a particular source of money or food
keep up
Same up pattern: good enough
Continue at the same level or rate; Move at the same speed as someone else; Stay informed about something current; Prevent someone from going to bed or sleeping; Prevent something from falling down; Maintain pretences, an appearance or a habit; Match the social or financial standard of others
man up
Same up pattern: good enough
Show courage and face a difficulty
measure up
Same up pattern: good enough
Be good enough for a particular standard
shape up
Same up pattern: good enough
Improve performance or behaviour
live by
Same base verb: live
Live according to a rule or principle
live in
Same base verb: live
Live at the place where you work
live on
Same base verb: live
Continue to exist after a loss
Sink In — iOS & Android
Practice “live up” in Sink In
Drill “live up” and 1,300+ other phrasal verbs with spaced repetition, organised by the particle patterns that connect them.
- Learn the pattern behind dozens of verbs at once — not one-off translations.
- Spaced repetition (SM-2) brings each meaning back right before you forget.
- Four practice modes train recall and discrimination, not just recognition.
