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one's keep

Definition of one's keep

:the amount of money a person needs to pay for food, clothing, a place to live, etc. —used in the phrase earn one's keep
  • She's been living off her parents long enough. It's time for her to get a job and start earning her keep.

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Word by Word Definitions

keep play

  1. : to retain in one's possession or power

  2. : to refrain from granting, giving, or allowing

  3. : to have in control

  1. : the means or provisions by which one is kept

  2. : one that keeps or protects: such as

  3. : fortress, castle

See the full definition of keep

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