high on the hog

Etymology
An allusion to the best and costliest cuts of meat from a hog, considered to be parts above the belly such as the loin, rather than lower parts such as the feet, knuckles, hocks, belly, and jowls. US, late 1800s; popularized 1940s. The variant forms – live/eat and on/off – are attested since at least the 1930s. However, decades earlier is the phrase, originally meaning someone living on little expense.

Adverb

 * 1)  Well off; living comfortably or extravagantly due to great wealth or financial security.
 * Ever since his promotion, they’ve been living high on the hog.
 * 1) * 1934, Time, Volume 24, p. 68:
 * The synthetic belle wins the prize and her creators are eating high off the hog until the nation’s Press demands a look at the original.
 * 1) * 1934, Time, Volume 24, p. 68:
 * The synthetic belle wins the prize and her creators are eating high off the hog until the nation’s Press demands a look at the original.

Usage notes

 * Often used in the expressions “living high on the hog” and “eating high on the hog.”
 * The opposite, “low on the hog”, is much more rarely used.