<b> Forum for those teaching business English </b>
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Itasan
- Posts: 557
- Joined: Wed Nov 05, 2003 8:22 am
- Location: Yokohama, Japan
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by Itasan » Tue Sep 04, 2007 9:10 am
'earn one's keep'
A dictionary says it means 'work in return for
food and accommodations'.
I wonder what kind of situation it indicates.
Is the person living in someone else's house
and doing some work for them?
Doesn't it mean 'earn one's living'?
Thank you.
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engteacher
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:24 pm
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by engteacher » Thu Nov 01, 2007 4:41 pm
To earn's one keep is an idiom as I'm sure you know. It means to earn enough money to be able to pay for your living expenses.
Ex: He doesn't earn a lot of money, but he makes enough to earn his keep.
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Itasan
- Posts: 557
- Joined: Wed Nov 05, 2003 8:22 am
- Location: Yokohama, Japan
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by Itasan » Fri Nov 02, 2007 12:30 am
Thank you very much, engteacher.
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Eric18
- Posts: 151
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- Location: Los Angeles, California
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by Eric18 » Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:32 am
Some parents, in the United States, also warn children - especially older ones living at home that they have to "ear their keep".