keep the wolf from the door

Idioms  

1. Ward off starvation or financial ruin. For example, In many countries people are working simply to keep the wolf from the door, and owning a car or washing machine is just a dream, or Gail would take any job now, just to keep the wolf from the door. This term alludes to the wolf's fabled ravenousness. [Mid-1500s]

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Example Sentences

However, smaller acts like Nadine Shah told parliament that streaming revenues are not enough to "keep the wolf from the door", especially after the pandemic wiped out their touring income.

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2022

These survivors are here to keep the wolf from the door — to socialize, to dance and drink.

From New York Times • Nov. 24, 2017

Third place in the Premier League and an FA Cup win will keep the wolf from the door.

From BBC • May 21, 2015

The voices chose themselves' … The Wombles Photograph: ITV/Rex I wanted to make serious music, but, to keep the wolf from the door, ended up composing a lot of TV commercials.

From The Guardian • Apr. 22, 2013

Or if you do, you were not standing by when Tom Cutts was looking right and looking left for something to do, so that he might keep the wolf from the door.

From Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Ten Christmas stories by Hale, Edward E.