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land of the living

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

English

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Etymology

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

Noun

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land of the living (uncountable)

  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.
    • 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."