The antonyms for the phrase "lives down" include "persists," "prevails," and "endures." These words suggest a sense of resilience or triumph over adversity, rather than being weighed down by past failures or mistakes. Other antonyms might include "moves on," "improves," or "overcomes" which again connote a sense of progress and forward momentum. This phrase can also connote a lack of growth or improvement, so antonyms might also include words like "learns from," "builds upon," or "uses as a stepping stone." Ultimately, the antonyms for "lives down" offer a range of possibilities for how we approach the challenges that life throws our way.