sweat equity

American  

noun

1. unreimbursed labor that results in the increased value of property or that is invested to establish or expand an enterprise.

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Etymology

Origin of sweat equity

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sweat equity

Working with civil rights activist Bob Woodson, the two developed a program to allow people in public housing to put in sweat equity and eventually gain ownership of their units.

From Washington Times ● Jan. 1, 2024

Grizzard's father, Claude Umstead Parrish, was a Merita Bread salesman who went in on a commercial bakery in Emporia, Virginia in 1941 with $15 and sweat equity.

From Salon ● Oct. 23, 2022

And it’s good for a lot of kids who have put in a lot of sweat equity for one school but have hit a roadblock for whatever reason and could excel in a different situation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2022

The money for “City” came from gifts, half from Lannan, as well as from Heizer’s own wallet and sweat equity.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 21, 2022

It depends on a durable investment strategy that goes beyond sweat equity.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 3, 2022