live by, live off, live on

To live by, live off or live on an activity, a condition, a food or a substance is to depend on it for survival.

  • In summer, nomadic tribes live by fishing and gathering berries.
  • From now on, Sharmila would have to live by her wits.
  • Akalayok and Noayak want to live off the land the way their grandparents did.
  • Is it right to live off someone else’s efforts?
  • Peter says he can live on $100 a month!
  • You may live on bread and water, but you will not thrive.

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