life of Riley

the life of Riley

A life of great ease, comfort, or luxury, used especially in the phrase "lead/live the life of Riley." The phrase is likely of early 20th-century Irish-American origin, but to whom Riley refers is uncertain. Pampered from a young age after his father came into sudden wealth, Jonathan led the life of Riley compared to the hardships his older siblings faced.
See also: life, of, riley
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

life of Riley

Also, life of Reilly. An easy life, as in Peter had enough money to take off the rest of the year and live the life of Riley. This phrase originated in a popular song of the 1880s, "Is That Mr. Reilly?" by Pat Rooney, which described what its hero would do if he suddenly came into a fortune.
See also: life, of, riley
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • the life of Riley
  • the life of Reilly
  • so is life
  • live a life of
  • live a life of (something)
  • soft life
  • lead a life of (something)
  • cannot for the life of me/him/her/us/them
  • can't for the life of me
  • life
References in periodicals archive
Tonight we're unlikely to see Three Lions, although if his Philharmonic show earlier this year is anything to go by then we may well hear Life of Riley, Sugarcoated Iceberg, Lucky You and Pure.
Mann declared that the six-year-old, who runs in the colours of the Life Of Riley partnership, had a long-term future over fences next term.
Seven years is a long time to be miserable while this other guy is living the life of Riley.
Insider hears the line-up for the night already included Zutons guitarist Sean Payne, Coral guitarist Bill Ryder Jones and Ian's son Riley (who the song Life of Riley was written about).
Life of Riley (BBC One, 8.30pm) LIFE of Riley doesn't go in for sex and violence - it manages to be very funny without upsetting anybody (except snooty critics).
LIFE OF RILEY BBC One Wales, 8.30pm It's easy to sneer at comedies that don't go in for much in the way of sex, violence and filthy language, but the truth is, Life of Riley manages to be very funny without upsetting anybody but snooty critics.
He may have steered the bank on to the rocks and helped trigger the worst economic crisis in memory, but Sir Fred continues to live the life of Riley.
The truth is that most of us despise scroungers, home-grown or imported, as the No.1 family live the Life of Riley at our expense.
The life of Riley is happy, but she's fed up with the implied criticism from people for being unembarrassedly single, or of getting their sympathy for her single state.
Charlie Mann's Life Of Riley had little difficulty in maintaining his 100 per cent record over hurdles when turning the three-mile novice hurdle into a one-horse show.
Life of Riley (8.30pm) Maddy tries her best to prove that she is not an interfering mother, while Jim mak es an effort to deal with his addiction to coffee.
Life of Riley The Crimson Petal and the White Pickoftheday (8.30pm) Maddy tries her best to prove that she is not an interfering mother, while Jim makes an effort to deal with his addiction to coffee.
It isn't a Life of Riley on benefits when Jobseekers' Allowance is pounds 65.45 a week.
These people have been elected by the public to look after their interests, not so that they can live the life of Riley.
Since his escape, he has shown no remorse for his misdeeds, living the life of Riley and cashing in on his notoriety, in a country from which he could not be extradited.