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

And so it is odd that this child wasn’t more Successful at keeping the wolf from the door.

From Washington Post

"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

“Now, what would you like? Cod? Shrimps? Just something to keep the wolf from the door.”

From Literature

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

From New York Times