pull one's (own) weight, to

Also, pull one's own weight. Do one's share, as in We have a small organization, so we all must pull our own weight. This term comes from rowing, where each crew member must pull on an oar at least enough to propel himself or herself. Its figurative use dates from about 1900.

To do one's own share, as of work.

To do one’s share of the work. This term comes from rowing, where each member of a crew must pull on an oar at least hard enough to propel his or her own weight. The term was used figuratively from about 1900 on. In a 1902 speech, Theodore Roosevelt said, “The first requisite of a good citizen . . . is that he shall be able and willing to pull his weight.”