riley

Related to riley: Life of Riley

blimey O'Riley

An expression of surprise. Primarily heard in UK. Blimey O'Riley, I didn't think anyone was in here! Sorry about that.
See also: blimey

lead the life of Riley

To live a life of great ease, comfort, or luxury. 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: lead, life, of, riley

live a life of Riley

To lead a life of great ease, comfort, or luxury. 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 lived a life of Riley compared to the hardships his older siblings faced.
See also: life, live, of, riley

live the life of Riley

To lead a life of great ease, comfort, or luxury. 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 lived the life of Riley compared to the hardships his older siblings faced.
See also: life, live, 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.

lead the life of Riley

 and live the life of Riley
Fig. to live in luxury. (No one knows who Riley alludes to.) If I had a million dollars, I could live the life of Riley. The treasurer took our money to Mexico, where he lived the life of Riley until the police caught him.
See also: lead, life, of, riley
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

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.

live the life of Riley

If someone lives the life of Riley, they have a very enjoyable life because they have plenty of money and no problems. He was living the life of Riley while we had barely enough to eat. It was like paradise. It was just like living the life of Riley. Note: People sometimes use the verbs lead or have instead of live. These people moan about their lives when in reality they're having the life of Riley. Note: This expression often shows disapproval or envy. Note: This expression probably comes from a song `Is That Mr Reilly', which was popular in America in the 1880's and described what Reilly's life would be like if he was rich.
See also: life, live, of, riley
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

the life of Riley (or Reilly)

a luxurious or carefree existence. informal
Reilly or Riley is a common Irish surname. A popular song of the early 20th century entitled ‘My Name is Kelly’ included the lines ‘Faith and my name is Kelly Michael Kelly , But I'm living the life of Reilly just the same’. This may be the source of the expression but it is possible that the songwriter, H. Pease, was drawing on an already existing catchphrase.
1978 Daily Telegraph It is simply not true that we don't pay tax and are living the life of Riley.
See also: life, of, riley
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

lead/live the life of Reilly/ˈRiley

(informal) have a comfortable and enjoyable life without any worries: He inherited a lot of money and since then he’s been living the life of Riley.
See also: lead, life, live, of, Reilly, riley
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

the life of Riley

Informal
An easy life.
See also: life, of, riley
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

the life of Riley

A life of ease. Although linguistic history fails to reveal who the eponymous Mr. Reilly was, the phrase was traced to the mid-19th century's Irish immigration to the United States. The phrase was used in popular songs and on the stage, and was most recently used as the title of a very successful radio program and later television series starring William Bendix as Chester A. Riley, whose signature comment, “What a revoltin' development this is,” became a popular expression during the mid-20th century.
See also: life, of, riley
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
See also:
  • blimey O'Riley
  • Reilly
  • blimey O'Reilly
  • cor blimey
  • blimey
  • it's too late for sorry
  • 90
  • in a sorry state
  • actress
  • state
References in periodicals archive
Riley spent several years as vice-president during Garner tenure as BCA president from 2007 to 2017, before assuming the top post when Garner took up the post of Windies team manager.
CRICKET-ELECTIONS-Riley dismisses Garner challenge to retain BCA presidency
Riley Wealth Management provides a full range of investment management services and solutions to individuals and families, small and large businesses, non-profits, endowments and foundations, including qualified retirement plans, trusts, foundations and endowments.
B. Riley Wealth Management names president
Now mum-of-two Clare is calling on parents to ditch bottles with no safety gauze and wants Sainsbury's to recall the type that Riley had.
Tongue trap; Mum warned son, six, could die after getting stuck in neck of water bottle
But Riley's childhood hasn't been short of hardships.
Rugby is the breath of life for sporty lad, 8, with lung disease
Focusing on her early years, "Bridget Riley: A Very Very Person: The Early Years" tells the story of a remarkable woman whose art and life were entwined in surprising ways.
Bridget Riley: A Very Very Person
Nick: Yeah, Riley and I are in another band together called Petyr.
WARISH
A teacher who took minutes during Siswick's meetings with another teacher said Siswick told her Campbell and Riley 'did not have a strong bond.'.
Family advice given before boy died, court told
James and Riley were together in Miami from 2010 to 2014 before the three-time NBA champion opted to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Pat Riley Looks Perfect But Unlikely To Revive LA Showtime
The Riley name was eventually discontinued and faded into history but it remains alive in many ways.
Historic car maker Riley is making return to Cov
To find out more about the Riley Archive Project clickhere.
This is why historic car maker Riley is returning to Coventry; Riley was a pace-setter in the early days of the car industry
"I was going to retire until this d**k escaped," Riley said.
His guys chased me at 100mph. I got p****d off .. it was either him or me; DEA AGENT WHOSE OBSESSION STOPPED INFAMOUS DRUG LORD EL CHAPO
Further, Barringer's allegation that Riley made loans to J&R from his personal funds does not amount to a commingling of personal and corporate assets.
Counterclaims in misappropriation case fail
Family friend Rob Collier said on Facebook: "The guys over on the Wales Rally forum have set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money for Riley Dexter who was in a terrible accident at WRC Llandudno during the Supermoto Display and is currently in critical care in hospital.
Boy fighting for life after Wales Rally GB horror is bike champ
San Francisco, Calif.-based Paladin Cyber has named Josh Riley head of insurance.
Paladin in California Names Riley Head of Insurance
"As a former South Carolina governor and state legislator, I am so proud to have my collection housed atone of thestate's premier public institutions of higher learning, the University of South Carolina, where I also graduated from the School of Law," Riley said in a news release.
Bill Clinton to speak at opening of Riley collection