keep the wolf (wolves) from the door

keep the wolf (wolves) from the door {v. phr.}

To avoid hunger, poverty, and/or creditors.

"I don't like my job," Mike complained, "but I must do something to keep the wolves from the door."

Compare: KEEP BODY AND SOUL TOGETHER.

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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wolf

[wolf] See: [CRY WOLF], [KEEP THE WOLF FROM THE DOOR], [LONE WOLF], [THROW TO THE WOLVES]. A Dictionary of American Idioms

door

[door] See: [AT DEATH'S DOOR], [AT ONE'S DOOR], [CLOSED-DOOR], [CLOSE ITS DOORS], [CLOSE THE DOOR] or [BAR THE DOOR] or [SHUT THE DOOR], [DARKEN ONE'S DOOR] or [DARKEN THE DOOR], […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

keep body and soul together

[keep body and soul together] {v. phr.} To keep alive; survive. * /John was unemployed most of the year and hardly made enough money to keep body and soul together./ […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

next door

[next door] {adv.} or {adj.} 1. In or to the next house or apartment. * /He lived next door to me./ * /She telephoned next door to ask about John./ […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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