sing for one's supper
Work for one's pay or reward, as in Entertaining visiting scientists is part of the job; you know I have to sing for my supper. This metaphoric term alludes to wandering minstrels who performed in taverns and were paid with a meal. First recorded in 1609, it gained currency with the familiar nursery rhyme, “Little Tommy Tucker, sings for his supper” (c. 1744).
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Nearby words
sinful, sinfully, sing, sing a different tune, sing along, sing for one's supper, sing out, sing sing, sing someone's praises, sing-along, sing-song
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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