live and let live

English

Verb

live and let live

  1. (idiomatic) To be tolerant; to enjoy the pleasures and opportunities which life offers and to allow others to do the same.
    • 1818, Sir Walter Scott, The Heart of Mid-Lothian, ch. 23:
      "Hout, neighbour," said Mrs. Howden, "we suld live and let live—we hae been young oursells, and we are no aye to judge the warst when lads and lasses forgather."
    • 1903, Arthur Quiller-Couch, Hetty Wesley, ch. 36:
      Live and let live’ is my motto: let me alone and I'll let you alone.
    • 2004 April 22, Michael Ancram, "If the British people vote no, Europe will thank them," guardian.co.uk (retrieved 14 June 2008):
      Our Europe policy is simple: live and let live, flourish and let flourish. That is a modern and mature approach.

Usage notes

Translations

This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.