enough to keep body and soul together

enough to keep body and soul together

A small amount that is just enough of something to allow one to survive. I had to ask my parents to loan me money because, thanks to those hospital bills, I don't even have enough to keep body and soul together. Can't we give them more food? This is only enough to keep body and soul together.
See also: and, body, enough, keep, soul, together
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

enough to keep body and soul together

Fig. very little; only enough to survive. (Usually refers to money.) When he worked for the library, Marshall only made enough to keep body and soul together. Maria's savings were just enough to keep body and soul together while she looked for another job.
See also: and, body, enough, keep, soul, together
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • keep body and soul together
  • keep body and soul together, to
  • retire on
  • retire on (some amount of money)
  • make buckle and tongue meet
  • bug-out bag
  • pull (one) through (something)
  • pull through
  • live out of (something)
  • just getting by
References in periodicals archive
If he bothered to read the book, he would see that Oliver Twist asked for more because what he and the other boys were given was not enough to keep body and soul together, while those in charge were creaming off the surplus for themselves.
Know your Twist