Keep the wolf from the door
verb phrase
To manage to get by financially; to have just enough money to cover basic needs.
After I lost my job, we were barely keeping the wolf from the door.
Often appears as...
- barely keep the wolf from the door
- trying to keep the wolf from the door
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To manage to get by financially; to have just enough money to cover basic needs.
After I lost my job, we were barely keeping the wolf from the door.
Often appears as...
- barely keep the wolf from the door
- trying to keep the wolf from the door
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Tone
Implies worry or hardship related to money matters, suggesting a difficult situation.
During the recession, many families could just keep the wolf from the door.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Use
The 'wolf' is a metaphor for hunger or poverty, so the phrase is not about real wolves.
We've cut down on all luxuries just to keep the wolf from the door.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Context
This phrase comes from times when wolves were a real threat, symbolizing imminent danger.
He's been working two jobs to keep the wolf from the door.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Tone
Implies worry or hardship related to money matters, suggesting a difficult situation.
During the recession, many families could just keep the wolf from the door.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Use
The 'wolf' is a metaphor for hunger or poverty, so the phrase is not about real wolves.
We've cut down on all luxuries just to keep the wolf from the door.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Context
This phrase comes from times when wolves were a real threat, symbolizing imminent danger.
He's been working two jobs to keep the wolf from the door.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Tone
Implies worry or hardship related to money matters, suggesting a difficult situation.
During the recession, many families could just keep the wolf from the door.
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphorical Use
The 'wolf' is a metaphor for hunger or poverty, so the phrase is not about real wolves.
We've cut down on all luxuries just to keep the wolf from the door.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Context
This phrase comes from times when wolves were a real threat, symbolizing imminent danger.
He's been working two jobs to keep the wolf from the door.
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