Happy wife, happy life means that if your wife is happy, life at home runs smoothly. It's a joking saying, less about love than about keeping the peace: no arguments, and an easier life for everyone. It's usually said by a husband explaining why he gave in, whether over the choice of a sofa or a holiday at his mother-in-law's. The phrase is casual and ironic, and it's out of place in a serious conversation or an essay.
When would you say happy wife, happy life?
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Happy wife, happy life.; ..., because happy wife, happy life; as they say, happy wife, happy life
- My wife wanted a dog, so now we have a dog. Happy wife, happy life!
- 'Why did you agree to spend the whole holiday at her parents' house?' 'Happy wife, happy life, mate.'
What changed
First versionI let my wife choose the new sofa. Happy wife, happy live, as they say.
RevisionI let my wife choose the new sofa. Happy wife, happy life, as they say.
Live is a verb, and life is a noun. They look alike and are often mixed up in writing. The saying needs the noun life, and the rhyme of wife and life depends on that final f sound. Only live was changed to life.
Happy wife, happy life is about giving in to keep the peace, whoever actually makes the decision. To say who's really in charge at home, people say wear the trousers: In their house, it's Olga who wears the trousers. That's a joke too, but about power, not compromise.
Your turn
My husband wanted a quiet weekend at home, but I wanted to visit my parents. He just smiled, packed the car and said, '___.'
Show the answer
Happy wife, happy life — The husband dropped his own plans so that his wife would be happy, which is exactly the case for happy wife, happy life. Easy come, easy go is said when something came easily and was lost just as easily, which has nothing to do with giving in to your partner.
Describe how one person in a couple you know gave in during a disagreement. Say what they disagreed about and how it ended, and finish with the saying.
My uncle wanted a black car, but my aunt liked the red one, so they bought the red one. Happy wife, happy life.
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