earn its keep

earn its keep

To be valuable enough to be worth keeping. This device can be used in so many ways that it's really earned its keep in my kitchen.
See also: earn, keep
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

earn its keep

If something earns its keep, it is worth the amount of money that it costs or the space that it takes up. In Bob's garden everything must earn its keep, with fruits and vegetables given priority over flowers. If you're short of storage space in your kitchen, whatever appliances you do have really need to earn their keep.
See also: earn, keep
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • keep (something) by
  • keep by
  • keep in
  • keep in some place
  • bear/keep somebody/something in mind
  • keep away
  • keep away (from someone or something)
  • keep (something) under wraps
  • be asking for trouble
  • be looking for trouble
References in periodicals archive
Helen Heeley Time for the BBC to earn its keep. No need for a tax payer funded propaganda outlet.
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Based on price per wear alone, this will earn its keep in your wardrobe.
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978-1-59158-633-3.) Bottom line: An excellent addition to the multicultural shelves that will easily earn its keep.
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"The imminent adoption of the new Single Farm Payment means every beef animal will have to earn its keep instead of being a head in the coupled subsidy count," explained NBA chief executive, Robert Forster.
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``In these tough times for the rural economy every acre has to work harder to earn its keep. That's why we believe farmers and landowners should carry out this sort of exercise every year.
Hidden gems lie hidden on your land
To an African, an elephant that does not earn its keep is a menace to crops and a threat to human safety.
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The spire-like Pyrus Beech Hill (bottom right) is a good example and will really earn its keep with its showy display of white flowers in spring followed by red berries.
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Last night Hermione, who has several homes, said: "A house of this size has crippling overheads and it needs to earn its keep.
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