English

Verb

live the dream ‎(third-person singular simple present lives the dream, present participle living the dream, simple past and past participle lived the dream)

1. (idiomatic) To experience the achievement of every success that one has aspired to achieve, especially from a career.
   • 1991 June 19, Sara Rimer, "School Heroes, After the Last Time Up," New York Times (retrieved 5 March 2013):

     But Manny Ramirez is living the dream; two weeks ago, he signed a quarter-million-dollar contract with the Cleveland Indians.

   • 2004 April 12, Andrew D. Arnold, "Keeping It 'Riel'," Time:

     Chester Brown lives the dream. . . . [W]ith the publication of his graphic novel, "Louis Riel," he not only has a hit, but also the accolades of the industry.

   • 2006 July 2, Nick Allen, Beckham stands down as captain, The Independent (UK) (retrieved 5 March 2013):

     Beckham choked back tears. . . . He said he had "lived the dream" but with a new manager taking over it was time for a new captain.

Usage notes

• Often used in the present participial form: living the dream.