get your bait back
get (one's) bait back
To make nearly enough money to offset what one has spent on some endeavor. Primarily heard in US. When you first start a business, it takes a while before you get your bait back, unfortunately.
See also: back, bait, get
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
get your bait back
Just about recoup your expenditure. An old New England fisherman's expression for barely making expenses. Some who caught just enough fish to sell to compensate for the day's expenses was said to have gotten his bait back.
See also: back, bait, get
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
- get (one's) bait back
- go (to) it
- jack it in
- jack in
- give (one) a big send-off
- have a stake in
- have a stake in (something)
- have a stake in something
- the rules of the game
- payed