Earn a Living

Also found in: Idioms.

Earn a Living

To make money in order to provide for personal and family expenses. In general, one earns a living with a job, which is an occupation for which one is compensated. Some earn their livings through investments or through owning a business.

References in classic literature ?

This worried Uncle Henry a good deal, for without the farm he would have no way to earn a living.

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All the young men felt the attraction of the fine, well-set-up country girls who had come to town to earn a living, and, in nearly every case, to help the father struggle out of debt, or to make it possible for the younger children of the family to go to school.

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That before we trek you execute a deed agreeing, in the event of my death or disablement, to pay my boy Harry, who is studying medicine over there in London, at Guy's Hospital, a sum of L200 a year for five years, by which time he ought to be able to earn a living for himself if he is worth his salt.