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the live one

the live one

8.6
A person who makes others laugh and enjoy themselves
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : el animador
  • Whenever we go out, Mark is always the live one, telling stories and cracking jokes.

Examples

  • You can count on her to be the live one at any gathering, making sure everyone has a good time.

  • At every family reunion, Grandpa was the live one, keeping everyone entertained with his antics.

  • Everyone loves the live one at the party!

  • Is he the live one among your friends?

  • At every family reunion, Grandpa was the live one, keeping everyone entertained with his antics.

  • Whenever we go out, Mark is always the live one, telling stories and cracking jokes.

  • You can count on her to be the live one at any gathering, making sure everyone has a good time.

Synonyms

life of the party
vsthe live one
  • Informal
15 3.5

A person who is the most lively and entertaining at a party

highlights being the main source of excitement rather than just sociable
the life of the party
vsthe live one
  • Informal
13 3.7

A person who is lively and makes people laugh at parties

is the most lively or exciting person in a group, not merely pleasant
live wire
vsthe live one
  • Informal
2 4.6

A person who is very lively and full of energy

is the person who creates excitement for others, not only full of energy
funster
vsthe live one
  • Informal
1 8.9

A person who makes others laugh in a group

is the main source of excitement, not just someone who amuses others
life of the event
vsthe live one
  • Informal
4.9

A person who makes a social event fun by being energetic and funny

is used for someone most lively across a group rather than a single event
life of the celebration
vsthe live one
  • Informal
5.3

A person who is full of energy and makes a party more fun

is used for the same role within any group, not only one celebration
life and soul of the party
vsthe live one
  • Informal
3.9

A person who makes parties fun by being lively and entertaining others

is used for the single most lively person rather than just very lively

Antonyms

182 1.3

Not interesting or lively

bore
  • Offensive
32 4.2

A person who talks too much about dull topics and makes others feel tired or not interested

How Lively

the live one
  • Informal
8.6
live wire
  • Informal
2 4.6
sociable
21 1.6
wallflower
  • Informal
11 7.0

Surface Forms

the live one singular
the live ones plural

Morphology

the + live + one

The meaning can be derived by regular adjective+noun composition (live = lively; one = person), so learners who know 'live' in the 'lively/energetic' sense can infer 'the live one'. However, 'live' is often first learned as 'alive' and this colloquial, slightly metaphorical use may not be obvious to a B1 learner without exposure, so the transparency is partial.

Etymology

The live one comes from the idea of a 'live' show that is exciting and full of energy. The person who gives that energy is the live one, so the phrase means the most lively or entertaining person.