Live by your wits

phrase

Rely on one's resourcefulness and quick thinking for survival or success.

In a competitive business market, you have to live by your wits to get ahead.

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1

Pro Tip 1/3

Emphasizes the need for quick thinking in tough situations where you have to rely on yourself.

When stranded in the wild, she had to live by her wits.

Pro Tip 2/3

Highlights using available resources creatively to solve problems or face challenges.

Without money, he had to live by his wits, finding food and shelter wherever he could.

Pro Tip 3/3

Often used to describe someone making smart and innovative choices in business contexts.

The startup founder had to live by her wits to navigate the early days of her company.

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