Question

in_the_loop_447 the good life; a comfortable life Similar to: lap of luxury Emotions/Feelings: success and happiness

Accepted Answer

LIFE OF RILEY When Henry retires, he plans to live the life of Riley. He won’t have to work and he’ll be able to putter around the garden every day.Mrs. Hartley lived the life of Riley until her husband died and she had to take on two jobs to support herself. The lap of luxury means a very comfortable life because one is rich, whereas the life of Riley is an easy-going life because one doesn’t have to work or isn’t working. Someone who is poor can lead the life of Riley if he or she doesn’t mind being poor. The expression the life of Riley seems to originate from a song that was popular in the 1880s. It was a comic song called “Is That Mr. Reilly?” written by Pat Rooney, and it described what Mr. Reilly would do if he suddenly became rich.

Id	in_the_loop_447
Idiom	LIFE OF RILEY
Definition	the good life; a comfortable life
Examples	When Henry retires, he plans to live the life of Riley. He won’t have to work and he’ll be able to putter around the garden every day. Mrs. Hartley lived the life of Riley until her husband died and she had to take on two jobs to support herself.
Cross-Refs	Similar to: lap of luxury
Extra Info	The lap of luxury means a very comfortable life because one is rich, whereas the life of Riley is an easy-going life because one doesn’t have to work or isn’t working. Someone who is poor can lead the life of Riley if he or she doesn’t mind being poor. The expression the life of Riley seems to originate from a song that was popular in the 1880s. It was a comic song called “Is That Mr. Reilly?” written by Pat Rooney, and it described what Mr. Reilly would do if he suddenly became rich.
Category	Emotions/Feelings: success and happiness

Life Riley Comfortable Work Lap Luxury Doesn’t Song