an honest buck

an honest buck

Honest, legal work or income. Often used in the phrase "make/earn an honest buck." Primarily heard in US. After 10 years working for the mob, Jeremy was ready to finally start making an honest buck.
See also: buck, honest
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • make an honest buck
  • earn an honest buck
  • honest to a fault
  • an honest broker
  • honest to God
  • honest to God/goodness
  • the honest truth
  • TBQH
  • God's honest truth
  • aboveboard
References in periodicals archive
Higher corporate profit, higher interest rate and higher tax rate a the question is where does this leave average people who are trying to make an honest buck and pay down their debt?
What's up, 2018?
It's hard enough trying to make an honest buck, keep a roof over my head, feed myself, stay healthy, stay safe and have a little fun whenever possible.
It's a jungle out there
"His repugnant actions in London when over the back of a young man trying to earn an honest buck were a complete disgrace.
Hotline
They were out there to help fight disease besides earning an honest buck or two for their struggling families.
When the fringe speaks for us
They are hard-working folk making an honest buck against the odds.
Give cabbies a fair deal; Voice of the ECHO
That would provide a nice change - the United States would be the leader in solving civilization's most critical problem rather than being the chief cause of it, and would make an honest buck in the process.
THE COLD TRUTH
WHILE trying to earn an honest buck, Katherine Hartree has been handed her cards many times.
Poker queen is the real deal; MIDLANDER HITS THE BIG TIME IN WORLD POKER 'I'm a very competitive person. I only wanted to play when I had a good chance of winning'
For a time the Saw Doctors were small-time musicians, happy to be making an honest buck, let alone a hit record.
It's Miller Time: Just what the Docs' ordered; IT'S SAW GOOD TO BE BACK
Those of you who didn't see the programme might say that was a cheap shot at a sweet innocent girl trying to make an honest buck. Those of you who did, might still chide me for trying to make the supermodel look stupid...but only because you know she managed to do it far better than I ever could.
TV Watch: She's so pretty, oh so pretty ...vacant
While Prince Charles is bankrolling such transparent publicity scams, he would be wise to refrain from criticising his brother who is, unlike the rest of his mob, at least trying to make an honest buck in the real world.
Paying one's way
All of them allegedly crossed the legal line separating sanctioned inside information from expertise so exclusive as to deny competitors a sporting chance at making an honest buck on their speculations.
Market abuse
He obviously looks down his nose at ordinary people trying to get on in life, and earning an honest buck to pay bills and put food on the table.
Letter: Your view - Not a class act
Indeed, part of the article invited readers to make a judgment as to whether the complainant was either 'cruel' or 'just making an honest buck.
PCC ruling on Sunday Mercury X-Box story; DAD CASHES IN ON X-BOX MISERY
They are entitled to breathe clean air whilst earning an honest buck.
You say: Smoke at home
In recent years, he's led a nomadic existence, wandering from Gala, to Northampton, and now on to Brive, just to make an honest buck.
Rugby Union: TOONY TRAVELS TO CENTRE OF THE ACTION