life of riley

noun Informal.

1. a carefree, comfortable, and thoroughly enjoyable way of living: Since winning the lottery, he’s led the life of Riley.

n.“life at ease,” expression popularized by 1917, American English, sometimes said to trace to various songs from c.1902. A life of luxury: “Sheila found herself living the life of Riley after she won the lottery.” The expression comes from a popular song of the 1880s, “Is That Mr. Reilly?”, in which the title character describes what he would do if he suddenly became wealthy. 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.