living rent free
Staying without paying
Living rent free describes something—usually a thought, person, or memory—that occupies your mind without your permission or benefit.
The phrase comes from the idea that an unwelcome tenant is taking up valuable space without paying for it: That insult from ten years ago is still living rent free in my head.
Often used to point out when someone is giving too much mental energy to something or someone who doesn't deserve it.
- freeloadingExploiting others' generosity
- squattingLow crouch position
- moochingHabitually seeking handouts
- couch surfingCrashing at others' places
- crashingColliding with force
obsessing · intrusive thoughts · in my head · haunting · grudge · overthinking · dwelling · parasitic · sponging · unwelcome guest · basement dweller · freeloader · ruminating · uninvited · lingering · occupying · headspace · leech
- slangslang, jargon, lingo, argot, cant
- moochingmooch, moocher, mooching, freeloader, freeloading
living rent freeforgotten
No longer recalled
out of mind · unbothered · over it · let go · water off a duck's back
living rent freepaying rent
renting · leasing · subletting · boarding · lodging
live, living, lived, lives, liver, lively, livelihood, alive, outlive