make a living
idiom
: to earn the money one needs to pay for housing, food, etc.
He made a living by working as a cook.
Examples of make a living in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Small, budget-friendly updates (starting at $1) can instantly make a living room feel more welcoming.
—
Nomita Vaish-Taylor, The Spruce, 4 Feb. 2026
Even those who make a living projecting rates can't do so with 100% certainty.
—Aly J Yale, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
The work offered by Alban isn’t sufficient for the couple to make a living, least of all in a new-to-them urban economy where everything from renting an apartment to making a bank withdrawal comes with hidden costs.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Songwriters deserve to make a living.
—Hannah Karp, Billboard, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for make a living
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Nomita Vaish-Taylor, The Spruce, 4 Feb. 2026
Even those who make a living projecting rates can't do so with 100% certainty.
—Aly J Yale, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
The work offered by Alban isn’t sufficient for the couple to make a living, least of all in a new-to-them urban economy where everything from renting an apartment to making a bank withdrawal comes with hidden costs.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 31 Jan. 2026
Songwriters deserve to make a living.
—Hannah Karp, Billboard, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for make a living
Cite this Entry
“Make a living.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make%20a%20living. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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