Live and let live vs Tolerance

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Live and let live

Top 3,000 (common)

Tolerance

Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Most common: Tolerance
 Live and let liveTolerance
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //lɪv ənd lɛt lɪv//🇺🇸 //lɪv ənd lɛt lɪv//🇬🇧 /["/ˈtɒlərəns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈtɑːlərəns/"]/
MeaningLet people live how they want without interfering.The ability to accept or respect differences in people or things.
ExampleShe always believes in the principle of live and let live.Tolerance of different cultures is essential in a globalized world.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 3,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level-C1
Part of speechnoun
Collocationslive and let live attitude, promote live and let live, live and let live philosophygreat, political, racial, degree, level, have, show, learn, tolerance for, tolerance of, tolerance towards/​toward, a lack of tolerance, high, low, decreased, level, have, develop, improve, level, tolerance for, tolerance to
Antonyms-intolerance, prejudice, bias
Common mistakesMisunderstanding the meaning, thinking it encourages conflict., Using it in overly formal contexts where it feels out of place., Incorrectly phrasing it as 'live and let to live'.Confused with 'tolerate' as a verb instead of a noun., Using 'tolerance' incorrectly as a verb., Mixing up its meaning with 'indifference'.
Usage notesUsed in conversations to express tolerance. It's generally informal and should be used in friendly discussions rather than serious debates.Use 'tolerance' in discussions about diversity, acceptance, and social issues. It might feel formal in casual conversations but is essential in respectful discussions.

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Live and let live

Frequently asked questions: Live and let live vs Tolerance

What's the difference between Live and let live and Tolerance?

Live and let live: Let people live how they want without interfering. Tolerance: The ability to accept or respect differences in people or things.

Which is more common: Live and let live and Tolerance?

Tolerance is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Live and let live: She always believes in the principle of live and let live. Tolerance: Tolerance of different cultures is essential in a globalized world.

Can I use Live and let live and Tolerance interchangeably?

Not always. Live and let live and Tolerance are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.