verb phrase · neutral
make a living
/meɪk ə ˈlɪvɪŋ/make a LI·ving
Band 5-6speakingtask2
to earn enough money to pay for the things you need
Examples
“She makes a living by teaching English online.”
“Many artists find it hard to make a living from their work.”
“He moved to the city to make a living as a courier.”
Band 8 sentence
“Although freelance work is unstable, she manages to make a living and support her family.”
Collocations
- make a living as + job
- make a living from + activity
Word family
make (verb) verbliving (noun) nounearn a living verb phrase
Common mistakes
do a living→make a living
have a living→make a living
Say it for a higher band
5have a job→6earn money→7+make a living
Synonyms
earn a living
support oneself
Easily confused
earn a living
“After graduation she had to earn a living quickly.”
Related words
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In Work & Career
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