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

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The peasants followed out of a need to earn a living, but they were frequently corrupted by the ideals of luxury and idleness exemplified by the rich, further driving them into poverty. Ben Woollard, JSTOR Daily, 18 June 2025 This is especially urgent as broad exemptions to copyright are being proposed in several jurisdictions, threatening the ability of artists and creators to earn a living, and, by extension, generate jobs. Michael Sheldrick, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025 Being turned out of homes, while male relatives, with the ability to earn a living, are comfortably situated. Kim Campbell, Christian Science Monitor, 1 May 2025 That Pay Their Bills, 'Avoid Corporate' By Lydia Patrick Life & Trends Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 A TikTok user has gone viral for seeking advice from fellow creatives on how to earn a living while pursuing their passions. Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for earn a living

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Cite this Entry

“Earn a living.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earn%20a%20living. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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