earn a living

present singular third person earns a living · participle present earning a living · participle past earned a living · past earned a living · participle past earnt a living · past earnt a living

1. Synonym of make a living.

   1 more example

   We could never understand why any man should choose the career of a chainsmith, except, possibly, for the reason that it ran in the family, for a more arduous and unpleasant manner of earning one's living could scarcely be imagined, unless it was the business of moulding permanent-way chairs in an iron foundry.

   1945 January and February, A Former Pupil, “Some Memories of Crewe Works—III”, in Railway Magazine, pages 13–14

   Synonyms: make a living