by one's wits

1. see live by one's wits.

Example Sentences

Sidney Wendall, the widow, was another early riser, as one needs be when earning a living for a whole family by one's wits.

From Project Gutenberg

A slight man with reddish brown hair, Sherrill at 36 has an old-young face lit with intelligence and sudden flashes of humor, but worn by the anxiety that comes from having to live by one's wits too early.

From Time Magazine Archive

And, meantime, Steenie was finding that when one has a handsome face and jolly humour, it is easy to live by one's wits, even though honour be in the mire.

From Project Gutenberg

He was a personage who first established the fashion of living by one’s wits.

From Project Gutenberg

"Fund," says this experienced ornament of the art of living by one's wits, "fund is an excellent word; but re-fund is the very worst in the language."

From Project Gutenberg