keep the wolf from the door
phrase
informal
: to have or earn enough money to afford things (such as food and clothing) that is needed to live
They make just enough to keep the wolf from the door.
Cite this Entry
“Keep the wolf from the door.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keep%20the%20wolf%20from%20the%20door. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
