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What does low life mean? A low life (also spelled low-life or lowlife) is an individual with low morals or social status that is not accepted by their community; it can also imply the person is not to be trusted, despicable, and/or suspected of criminal activity. This derogatory term is often associated with disapproval of said person and their behavior and a negative, repelling attitude towards the individual considered a low-life.
Plural forms: lowlifes and lowlives.
Origins of the ‘Low Life’ Saying
It’s not yet clear where this expression came from; Dictionary.com declares its first recorded use around 1785-1795 , while Wikipedia lists its first use around 1911. Nevertheless, we have found several mentions of this expression throughout history, the oldest one dating back to 1847:
They are now extinguished by the low-life novel; the most intolerable of all earthly realities.
Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine – Volume 62, No. 384, October 1847
‘Low Life’ Synonyms & Similar Sayings
- Social outcast;
- Vagabond;
- Black sheep;
- Scumbag;
- Freeloader.
Using ‘Low Life’ in a Sentence
“I cannot handle the irresponsibility and constant lying of John anymore, not to mention his demanding attitude; he’s a low life. ”
“It’s difficult for parents to accept their child is becoming a low life; some of them can be so oblivious to self-destructive or attention-seeking behavior.”
“I can’t believe Mark is going to marry that lowlife drug addict after only dating for 2 months! How can he be so blind?”
Recommended read: If you are interested in more non-technical interview questions that might come up during your IT interview, we also recommend going through the non-tech IT interview questions section of our website. Plus, you can also learn about other sayings that may come up in office environments.
