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

See Examples For:

keep the wolf from the door

Mr Chapman welcomed the move and said it would not save businesses but would keep the "wolf from the door this winter".

From BBC ● Dec. 21, 2021

"It's not selling out. It's just another way to earn money, keep the wolf from the door, and get your music heard."

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2019

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

From New York Times ● Nov. 24, 2017

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

In either case the pay was very small, scarcely sufficient to keep the wolf from the door.

From The Huguenots in France by Samuel Smiles