To earn your keep
The idiom “to earn your keep” means to work in return for food and somewhere to live.
It comes from the times when workers, usually on farms, were often given food and accommodation instead of money. The phrase is now used more widely.
Nowadays it is sometimes used to mean earning money – particularly when wages are low and only just enough to cover the cost of food and rent.
Example:
“He has to work very long hours, just to earn his keep”.
It is also used to mean that somebody – or something – is useful.
Examples:
“That new washing machine saves so much time, it really earns its keep”.
“She worked so hard on that project that she more than earned her keep”.
Parents might use it with their children.
Example:
“If you expect me to feed you, I expect you to earn your keep by doing the washing up”.
Some related expressions include:
- Worth his keep
- Worth his salt
- Make a living
- Earn a living
- Work for a living
- Keep a roof over your head
- Keep clothes on your back
- Keep the wolf from the door
- Put food on the table
- Earning a crust
