A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

live in the air • live in the open air
live in the air —
1
. (of birds) spend part of their lives in the
air: We have birds that live in the air, those that live on the
earth and those that live in the sea. 2. (of viruses, etc.) be able
to survive in the open air: Microorganisms can live in the air,
on land, and in fresh or salt water environments.
Note: 
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase live on air— survive on very little food: Annick is one
of those young Parisians who live on air and use the cafes as
living rooms.
live in the open air —
1
. said of people not living inside a
house or building: The natural savages may live in the open
air, and subsist on the ordinary products of the earth. 2. spend
most of the time outdoors rather than indoors: Large orange
trees with their dense shade shut out the sun so that we can
sit, and walk, and live in the open air.
live in the country • live on the country
live in the country —live in an area that is farmed or remains
in an undeveloped state, as distinct from cities: They both
came from big cities before they met, and each dreamed of
living in the country.
live on the country —be able to survive from what one finds
in the wild: We took with us provisions for about fifty days,
for we hoped in part to live on the country — on fish, game,
nuts, and palm-tops.
live it down • live it up
live it down —forget smth. bad or embarrassing, such as
mistake, failure, etc.: If you were beaten by Jack, you would
never live it down.
live it up—(coll.) have a very enjoyable and exciting time:
Nobody lives for always, but when I live I like to live it up.
Note: 
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase live up to it—act in full accordance with principles, rules,
etc.; reach the standard that may be expected: You will never live
little madam
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up to it because you are a human and incapable of perfection
and bound to have flaws here and there.