live out of a suitcase

live out of a/(one's) suitcase

To only have the clothes and personal items in one's suitcase(s) available to one. I'm on the road for three months at a time for work, so I've gotten pretty used to living out of a suitcase. Sarah's been living out of her suitcases in her brother's apartment ever since getting evicted from her house.
See also: live, of, out, suitcase
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

live out of a suitcase

Fig. to stay very briefly in several places, never unpacking one's luggage. I hate living out of a suitcase. For my next vacation, I want to go to just one place and stay there the whole time.
See also: live, of, out, suitcase
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

live out of a suitcase

live or stay somewhere on a temporary basis and with only a limited selection of your belongings, typically because your occupation requires a great deal of travelling.
See also: live, of, out, suitcase
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • live out of a/(one's) suitcase
  • at (one's) doorstep
  • at doorstep
  • pack up
  • a full-time job
  • crumby
  • crummy
  • at one's door
  • at (one's) door
  • at door
References in periodicals archive
Andy doesn't much get on with any of them and is determined to reunite her parents so they can go back to their old home, Mulberry Cottage, and she won't have to live out of a suitcase, travelling between the two any longer.
Review: THE SUITCASE KID Liverpool Playhouse