live up to — fulfil moral duty
phrasal verbC2IELTS 8+neutralrare
to act in accordance with one's moral principles, values, or responsibilities, especially when these are demanding or require integrity.
Say it like a native
Textbook The leader failed to act in accordance with his stated principles.
Native The leader didn't live up to his principles.
'Live up to (your principles/values)' is the natural phrase. 'Act in accordance with stated principles' is formal.
Pattern: live up to + (one's) responsibilities/principles/ideals
In use
- Despite the pressure, she always tried to live up to her principles, even when it meant making unpopular decisions.ethics
- In my view, politicians should strive to live up to the ideals they promote, rather than simply seeking public approval.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ He didn't live up his promises.
✓ He didn't live up to his promises.
Needs 'to' — 'live up TO'.
Common collocations
live up to— his principles, our values, the ideal, your word
Don't confuse it
Unlike the B2 sense of 'live up to' (meeting expectations or standards), this sense is about fulfilling one's ethical or moral obligations, not just achieving a promised result.
Related
- live up to (meet expectations) — 'live up to' also has the more basic meaning 'meet expectations'; this is the advanced sense.