Meaning
To have an expensive lifestyle.
Cultural Background
The 'Nunta' (Wedding) culture in Romania is a primary venue for 'trăit pe picior mare'. Families often compete to have the most lavish menu and the most famous singers. The term 'boier' (nobleman) is often linked to this idiom. To live 'boierește' is the historical equivalent of living on a big foot. In cities like Bucharest or Cluj, 'living large' is often associated with the 'Pipera' or 'Nordului' areas, known for luxury apartments and expensive clubs. Romanians working abroad often return home for holidays and 'trăiesc pe picior mare' to show their success to those who stayed behind.
Use with 'a o duce'
You can say 'O duce pe picior mare' to sound more like a native speaker in casual conversation.
Singular only
Never say 'picioare mari' unless you are literally talking about someone with giant feet.
Meaning
To have an expensive lifestyle.
Use with 'a o duce'
You can say 'O duce pe picior mare' to sound more like a native speaker in casual conversation.
Singular only
Never say 'picioare mari' unless you are literally talking about someone with giant feet.
Sarcasm
Use it sarcastically when someone buys something slightly fancy to show you know the idiom's deeper meaning.
The 'Parvenit' nuance
Be aware that calling someone this can sometimes imply they are showing off money they didn't earn 'properly'.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
De când s-a mutat în America, vărul meu ________ pe picior mare.
The subject 'vărul meu' (my cousin) is 3rd person singular, so the verb must be 'trăiește'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Select the correct option:
The idiom always uses the preposition 'pe' and the singular 'picior mare'.
Match the situation to the correct use of the idiom.
Situation: Someone spent their whole salary on a designer bag in one day.
Spending a lot on luxury items is the definition of living on a big foot.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: Ai văzut noua casă a lui Ion? B: Da, se vede că ________.
The context of a new house implies a wealthy lifestyle.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Wealth Idioms
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDe când s-a mutat în America, vărul meu ________ pe picior mare.
The subject 'vărul meu' (my cousin) is 3rd person singular, so the verb must be 'trăiește'.
Select the correct option:
The idiom always uses the preposition 'pe' and the singular 'picior mare'.
Situation: Someone spent their whole salary on a designer bag in one day.
Spending a lot on luxury items is the definition of living on a big foot.
A: Ai văzut noua casă a lui Ion? B: Da, se vede că ________.
The context of a new house implies a wealthy lifestyle.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot inherently, but it can be used judgmentally. It depends on your tone of voice.
Yes, you can say a company 'trăiește pe picior mare' if it has luxury offices and high expenses.
The opposite is 'a trăi modest' or 'a trăi de pe o zi pe alta'.
Yes, it specifically refers to financial extravagance and lifestyle.
Eu am trăit, tu ai trăit, el/ea a trăit, noi am trăit, voi ați trăit, ei/ele au trăit.
Yes, it's a very common idiom in Romanian literature, especially in 19th-century realism.
No, the idiom does not use an article. It's always 'pe picior mare'.
Yes, it is frequently used in economic journalism.
Yes, it is the closest equivalent to the English 'living large' or 'living high on the hog'.
Because in the Middle Ages, shoe length indicated wealth and status.
Related Phrases
A o duce boierește
synonymTo live like a nobleman.
A fi plin de bani
similarTo be full of money.
A arunca cu banii
similarTo throw money around.
A trăi de pe o zi pe alta
contrastTo live from one day to the next.
A trăi în puf
similarTo live in luxury/comfort.
