lifetime achievement

Meaning

A lifetime achievement refers to recognition or an award given to someone for their overall contribution to an industry over their entire career, rather than for a single recent work. It is a prestigious honor typically presented to veterans.

Examples

• The legendary director was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the film festival.

  The legendary director was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the film festival.

• Receiving the lifetime achievement prize was the crowning moment of her fifty-year career in journalism.

  Receiving the lifetime achievement prize was the crowning moment of her fifty-year career in journalism.

• The committee decided to present him with a lifetime achievement honor for his dedication to classical music.

  The committee decided to present him with a lifetime achievement honor for his dedication to classical music.

• She delivered an emotional acceptance speech after winning the lifetime achievement trophy.

  She delivered an emotional acceptance speech after winning the lifetime achievement trophy.

• A lifetime achievement award is reserved for those who have truly transformed their industry over decades.

  A lifetime achievement award is reserved for those who have truly transformed their industry over decades.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The young actress won a lifetime achievement award for her debut film.

  ✓ The young actress won a best debut award for her first film.

  A 'lifetime achievement' award is given for a whole career spanning decades, not for a single performance or to someone at the start of their career.

• ✗ He got a life-long achievement award last night.

  ✓ He got a lifetime achievement award last night.

  While 'life-long' is a valid adjective, the set idiomatic term for this honor is always 'lifetime achievement'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The veteran actor received a standing ovation when he accepted his ___ award.

  💡 An honor recognizing a whole career.

  Show answer

  lifetime achievement

• To celebrate her decades of dedication, the academy presented her with the ___ honor.

  💡 Recognition for career-long contributions.

  Show answer

  lifetime achievement