[Idiom] KEEP THE WOLF FROM THE DOOR. - Phrases to Describe Keeping Difficulties at Bay
Keep the wolf from the door.
Avoid poverty.
To "keep the wolf from the door" means to maintain basic needs and avoid severe poverty. The "wolf" represents threats like hunger and destitution. The phrase is often used in contexts where someone is managing to cover basic living expenses but maybe nothing more, effectively keeping hardship "from the door.
Example Sentences
They struggled to keep the wolf from the door.
They struggled to avoid extreme poverty.
With the recession, many families are working hard to keep the wolf from the door.
With the recession, many families are working hard to avoid severe financial difficulty.
Despite numerous difficulties, she managed to keep the wolf from the door through her small business.
Despite difficulties, she managed to avoid extreme poverty through her small business.