🔁 To continue 🛡️ To protect 📦 To store 🤝 To fulfill 🐶 To care for 🥫 To stay fresh 💰 Support or cost 🏰 Main tower 🚪 A jail cell

keep

16 5.5

Money or food needed to live

noun
/kip/

: sustento

I was the sole scholarship student at C, and I was made to work for my keep.
earn one's keep

And that has to change the way in which we earn our keep.

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Examples

Are you ready to earn your keep?

36 Husbands (2019)
Well, Max said I had to earn my keep.

Lights Out (2024)
As long as you pay your keep, we'll get along.

Fiction book (1993)
It's time to earn your keep, Doc.

2010: Moby Dick (2010)
Come on, let's earn our keep, some of you at least.

Eulogy (2020)
It's time you earned your keep.

Broken City (2013)
Well, I for one just want to earn my keep and keep what I earn.

Blog text (33)
But now, my friend, comes the time for us to earn our keep.

Fiction book (1994)
"Enclosed you find money, to pay for their keep."

Babes in Toyland (1997)
After working hard for several months, I was finally able to earn my keep and pay my rent.

Synonyms

living

vskeep

922 2.3

Money someone earns to support themselves

is about the costs or needs of food shelter rather than where money comes from

support

vskeep

638 1.0

Money given to help a person or project

is about personal costs or means for living rather than external assistance

livelihood

vskeep

99 3.5

A way of earning money to pay for basic needs

is broader covering costs or means not only earned through work

maintenance

vskeep

19 3.6

Providing food and other needs so a person or family can live

is a term for costs or means rather than the action of providing them

bread and butter

vskeep

Informal

16 3.0

The main way a person earns money

is about the overall cost or means of living rather than the main income source

sustenance

vskeep

4 6.4

Money or work that helps you live

is broader focusing on costs for food shelter and other necessities

Idioms

to keep one's mouth shut

Informal

116 5.6

To say nothing to avoid trouble or keep a secret

to keep one's eyes open

97 3.8

Watch carefully for danger or a chance

to keep one's head down

41 6.3

Avoid getting noticed to stay out of trouble

to keep the peace

38 3.7

Prevent people from arguing or fighting so things stay calm

to keep a low profile

36 3.9

Act quietly so people do not notice you

to keep one's cool

Informal

30 3.4

Stay calm and control your feelings when things are hard

to keep it simple

28 2.7

Make something easy to understand by not adding extra details

to keep one's fingers crossed

Informal

20 3.5

To hope something will turn out well

to keep one's eyes peeled

Informal

16 4.6

Watch carefully for something important or dangerous

to keep one's options open

15 4.2

To avoid choosing now so other choices remain

to keep one's eye on the ball

Informal

15 5.6

Pay attention to the main goal and avoid distractions

to keep one's distance (from)

12 4.2

To stay away from people or things to avoid close contact

to keep one's nose clean

Informal

11 6.8

To avoid trouble and not attract bad attention

to keep head above water

Informal

8 4.7

To avoid serious money problems during hard times

to keep up appearances

Informal

8 6.7

Act as if everything is fine in front of other people

to keep a close watch

8 3.0

Look at a person or thing very carefully for a while to notice problems

to keep one's chin up

Informal

8 6.5

To stay cheerful and hopeful when things go wrong

to keep one's pants on

Informal

7 8.5

To stay calm and patient instead of getting angry

to keep up with the Joneses

Informal

4 7.5

Try to have the same things and life as neighbors to appear successful

to keep it in the family

Informal

4 7.1

To not tell people outside the family about important things

to keep one's ears open

Informal

4 3.7

Stay alert to hear useful news or information

to keep someone's head in the game

Informal

4 7.4

To stay focused and calm in a difficult situation

to keep up with the times

3 3.9

Stay modern by learning about new trends

to keep a cool head

3 3.9

Stay calm and not get angry or excited in a difficult situation

to keep someone on edge

Informal

2 7.4

Make someone feel nervous and unsure about what will happen

to keep one's nose to the grindstone

Informal

1 7.7

To work hard for a long time on a difficult task without stopping

to keep an eye peeled

Informal

1 6.0

Watch carefully for something you expect to see

to keep the wolf from the door

Informal

1 8.1

Have just enough money to avoid hunger or poverty

to keep the home fires burning

Archaic

1 6.4

Make the home warm and caring while someone is away

to keep your head on a swivel

Informal

1 8.1

To stay very alert and watch what is happening around you

to keep one's cards close to one's chest

Informal

1 7.6

To not tell people your plans or feelings to get an advantage

to keep one's sanity

1 7.0

To stay calm and able to think clearly under stress

to keep one's end up

1 7.4

Continue doing your part for the team when things are hard

to keep one's temper

1 4.4

Stay calm and not get angry in a difficult situation

to keep the pot boiling

Informal

1 7.2

To make people stay interested and active in a project

to keep your stick on the ice

Jargon

1 9.9

Stay alert and ready to move, like resting a hockey stick on the ice

to keep your knickers on

1 9.6

Stay calm and do not become angry or upset

to keep your pants on

Informal

1 8.6

Stay calm and be patient

to take a licking and keep on ticking

Archaic

1 9.2

To keep going without giving up after facing many hard times

cobbler, keep to your last

Archaic

9.9

To tell someone to stick to what they know

to earn one's keep

Informal

3.4

Do enough work, paid or not, to pay for food and a place to live

to keep a dog and bark yourself

9.9

To do work yourself when you hired someone else to do it

to keep a tight ship

6.5

Run a team or group strictly and efficiently

to keep it between the ditches

Informal

9.9

To stay within safe limits and avoid getting into trouble

to keep on (one's) toes

Informal

5.8

Make someone stay alert and ready for surprises

to keep one's cakehole shut

Offensive

9.9

Not say anything or tell other people

to keep it juicy

7.9

To keep meat or other food moist while cooking so it stays soft

to keep it one hundred

Slang

9.7

To be completely honest and direct with someone

to keep one's ear to the ground

Informal

6.5

To pay close attention to what people say and do to know what is happening

to keep one's eyes skinned

8.2

Watch carefully for danger or a chance to act

to keep one's shoulder to the wheel

Informal

7.7

To work hard and continue when things are difficult

to keep one's head

4.6

Stay calm and think clearly in a difficult or dangerous situation

Compounds

keep relay

Specialized

8.2

An electrical switch that stays in its last on or off position without power

How Comfortable

comfort

105 1.5

to support

753 1.4

keep

16 5.5

livelihood

99 3.5

subsistence

16 6.6

Surface Forms

keep singular

keeps plural

Etymology

Keep as a noun for living costs comes from the same idea of keep 'to hold' or 'support'; your 'keep' is what you need to be held and cared for, like food and a place to live.