live in sin

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR C1

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Figurative meaning

to cohabit romantically without having married

Word picture

The couple's shared home life is pictured, judgmentally, as taking place within sin.

Example

“Her aunt said they were living in sin, but Maya and Jo simply called it sharing a home.”

Dictionary details

Component words

live sin

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

live and let live Neutral · CEFR B1

to accept other people's choices without trying to control them

live it up Informal · CEFR B1

to celebrate or indulge freely, usually by spending more than usual

live a lie Neutral · CEFR B2

to hide your true identity, beliefs, or feelings by living dishonestly

with open arms Neutral · CEFR B1

with an enthusiastic and affectionate welcome

give someone the eye Informal · CEFR B2

to signal romantic or sexual attraction through deliberate glances

play the field Informal · CEFR B2

to date several people without committing to one partner

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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