live the dream

present singular third person lives the dream · participle present living the dream · participle past lived the dream · past lived the dream

1. idiomaticTo experience the achievement of every success that one has aspired to achieve, especially from a career.

   But Manny Ramirez is living the dream; two weeks ago, he signed a quarter-million-dollar contract with the Cleveland Indians.

   1991 June 19, Sara Rimer, “School Heroes, After the Last Time Up”, in New York Times, retrieved 05 Mar 2013

   2 more examples

   Chester Brown lives the dream. . . . [W]ith the publication of his graphic novel, "Louis Riel," he not only has a hit, but also the accolades of the industry.

   2004 April 12, Andrew D. Arnold, “Keeping It 'Riel'”, in Time

   Beckham choked back tears. . . . He said he had "lived the dream" but with a new manager taking over it was time for a new captain.

   2006 July 2, Nick Allen, Beckham stands down as captain, The Independent (UK) (retrieved 5 March 2013)