land of the living

English

Etymology

Calque of Biblical Hebrew חַיִּים בְּאֶרֶץ from Psalm 27:13. Similar phrases are also found in other religions and mythologies, such as the Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh.

Proper noun

the land of the living

  1. The mortal world, as opposed to the afterlife.
    Coordinate term: Land of the Leal
  2. (humorous) Awakeness, especially after a long and deep sleep.
    • 1995, Paul Vautin, Turn It Up!, Sydney: Pan Macmillan Australia, page 157:
      Once I was back in the land of the living and my leg cast had been removed, my main aim in life was to get fit.
    • 2012 September 12, Andy Dunn, Ungentlemanly Conduct, AuthorHouse, →ISBN, page 3:
      The transition from serene slumber to head-thumping hangover is one of life's harshest experiences. […] Pancake was now fast arriving in the land of the living.
    • 2015 January 26, Mary Wickizer Burgess, Hangover Hill: A Gail Brevard Mystery, Wildside Press LLC, →ISBN, page 102:
      Connie kissed Gail awake and she sat up and looked around. […] "Yes, my dear. Here we are again, back in the land of the living, safe and sound. And you know what?"
    • 2022 February 10, Ashley Holloway, A Ticket to the Titanic: A Time Travel Adventure, Bay Window Books:
      "Welcome back to the land of the living, Sleeping Beauty."
      Her forehead wrinkled. "How long have I been out?"
      The nurse checked his watch. "Almost two days."
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