by the day

by the day

Per day; at a daily rate. You can't afford to miss work when you get paid by the day. I'm renting this hotel room by the day because I could get my next travel assignment at any time.
See also: by
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

by the day

one day at a time. I don't know when I'll have to leave town, so I rent this room by the day.
See also: by
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

by the day

Also, by the hour or week or month or year . According to a specific time period, as in I'm renting this car by the day, or He's being paid by the hour. This usage generally describes some kind of rate. [1400s]
See also: by
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • just another day at the office
  • day to day
  • day-to-day
  • day out
  • day by day
  • day off
  • not (one's) day
  • not one's day, this is
  • not someone's day
  • from one day to the next