earns one's keep
Justifies one's presence
To earn one's keep is to contribute enough to justify the resources spent on you—originally room and board, now any form of support or investment.
A farmhand earns his keep through labor; a software tool earns its keep by saving time.
The old truck still earns its keep hauling firewood.
The phrase implies proving one's value rather than being a burden.
- salaryFixed periodic employment payment
- wagesPayment for work
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- self-relianceDepending on oneself alone
- incomeRegular monetary receipts
reciprocity · trustworthiness · accountability · obligation · diligence · chores · usefulness · contribution · fair share · teamwork · employment · room and board · fairness · productivity · work ethic · pulling one's weight · labor · daily grind
earns one's keepfreeloads
Takes without reciprocating
mooches · free rides · sponges · coasts · dead weight
earns one's keepslacks off
Reduces effort deliberately
idles · loafs · lazes about · sits around · wastes time
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