earn a crust

earn a crust

To do work of any kind for a living; to earn money by some means. No, working in a canning factory isn't exactly glamorous, but we've all got to earn a crust somehow.
See also: crust, earn
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

earn a crust

or

earn your crust

BRITISH
If you earn a crust or earn your crust, you earn enough money to live on, especially by doing work you would prefer not to do. In his early days, he would do almost anything to earn a crust. You have to earn your crust somehow. Note: A crust means a piece of bread, especially a piece of the hard, outer part of the loaf.
See also: crust, earn
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

ˌearn a/your ˈcrust

(British English, informal) earn enough money to live on: He’s a musician now, but he used to earn a crust by cleaning windows.
The crust is the hard, outer surface of bread.
See also: crust, earn
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • earn a/your crust
  • earn (one's) daily bread
  • crust
  • earn (one's) crust
  • (one's) daily bread
  • daily
  • earn an honest penny
  • earn a packet
  • make good money
  • earn a mint
References in periodicals archive
But with an excellent location, it is well-positioned to earn a crust from the local maritime trade, and has various other advantages; and, with the help of its ports, is planning for growth in various areas.
Ras Al Khaimah well-positioned for maritime trade
SEXY Dukes of Hazzard star Jessica Simpson really knows how to flaunt her curves to earn a crust.
Looking good is a pizza cake for Jess
Tell that to the birds, or the tired shop assistant, the foundry worker or the poor columnist toiling in her garret by candlelight just to earn a crust.
Lotto tosh