English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Living on borrowed time
Meaning
The idiom "living on borrowed time" refers to a person who is living beyond their means or financial capabilities. They may have accumulated debt, overspent on luxury items, or are relying heavily on others for financial support. This term can also refer to someone who has been given a limited amount of time to complete a task or achieve a goal, and is running out of time before it expires.
Usage
- "After years of living on borrowed time, John finally decided to file for bankruptcy."
- "The project was due next week, but we've been living on borrowed time since the deadline was moved up unexpectedly."
- "We've been eating out a lot lately, and it feels like we're living on borrowed time until our paychecks come in."
- "The company has been struggling financially, and they've been living on borrowed time for months now."
- "I've been putting off studying for my exams, and now I feel like I'm living on borrowed time with only a few days left until they start."
Roots and History
The idiom "living on borrowed time" has been in use since the 16th century. It originally referred to someone who was surviving by borrowing money or resources from others, rather than having their own means of support. Over time, the phrase took on a more metaphorical meaning, referring to someone who was living beyond their means or financial capabilities.
Synonyms in English
- "Living above one's means"
- "Borrowing from Peter to pay Paul"
- "Living on a shoestring"
- "Living off the grid"
- "Living off easy money"
Synonyms in other languages
- French: vivre au-delà de ses moyens (to live beyond one's means)
- Spanish: viver más allá de los medios (to live beyond one's means)
- German: leben über die Verbindungen hinaus (to live beyond one's connections)
- Italian: vivere oltre i mezzi (to live beyond one's means)
- Chinese: 生活太轻松了 (to live too comfortably)