earn one's keep: translation
earn one's keep
to help out with chores in return for food and a place to live; to earn one's pay by doing what is expected. •
I earn my keep at college by shoveling snow in the winter.
•
Tom hardly earns his keep around here. He should be fired.
* * *
{v. phr.} To merit one's salary or keep by performing the labor or chores that are expected of one. * /John earned his keep at the music conservatory by dusting off all the musical instruments every day./