earn a living
idiom
: to earn the money needed for food, clothing, etc.
She's just trying to earn a living.
Examples of earn a living in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
People are working to earn a living in exchange for their best efforts.
—
Bruce Tulgan, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Photographers are typically required to have a high school diploma and a moderate level of on-the-job training to build a career in the field and earn a living wage, according to the bureau's database.
—Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025
Young claims the story destroyed his reputation and ability to earn a living — driving his annual income from $350,000 to zero — and caused severe emotional and psychological distress.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Without it, even the most talented artists may struggle to gain recognition, earn a living or maintain creative control.
—Justin Grome, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for earn a living
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bruce Tulgan, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Photographers are typically required to have a high school diploma and a moderate level of on-the-job training to build a career in the field and earn a living wage, according to the bureau's database.
—Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY, 28 Jan. 2025
Young claims the story destroyed his reputation and ability to earn a living — driving his annual income from $350,000 to zero — and caused severe emotional and psychological distress.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Without it, even the most talented artists may struggle to gain recognition, earn a living or maintain creative control.
—Justin Grome, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for earn a living
Cite this Entry
“Earn a living.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earn%20a%20living. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share