sweat equity

noun

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

Origin of sweat equity

First recorded in 1965–70

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

My sweat equity paid off, and for a few moments I had the place to myself—pretty amazing, considering this is one of the park’s most iconic stops.
The Ultimate Arches National Park Travel Guide | Shawnté Salabert | April 22, 2021 | Outside Online
“They wanted some kind of sweat equity deed or in lieu of that 27,000 ounces of pure silver,” he said.
Sovereign Citizens Are a Sometimes Violent Fringe Group Rejecting All Government | Winston Ross | December 30, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
But even galleries with less sweat equity to pay are likely to find Miami a challenge.
How Hurricane Sandy Rocked the Art Galleries in Chelsea | Blake Gopnik | November 6, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST

Browse