live off/on the fat of the land

To live comfortably on a surplus of resources, without working very hard. Ben has been living off the fat of the land for too long—it's time for him to get a job!

Fig. to live on stored-up resources or abundant resources. If I had a million dollars, I'd invest it and live off the fat of the land. I'll be happy to retire soon and live off the fat of the land.

If someone lives off the fat of the land, they have a rich and comfortable life without having to work hard for it. He was fed up with these royalists who were living off the fat of the land while the rest of the country was starving. Note: This expression is often used to criticize someone who is rich because they are exploiting people. Note: This is from the story of Joseph in the Bible. During the famine (= time when there is not enough food) in Israel, Pharaoh invited Joseph's father and brothers to come to Egypt, where there was plenty of food: `Come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.' (Genesis 45:18)