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Keep the Wolf from the Door

What Does "Keep the Wolf from the Door" Mean?

homeidiomsKeep the Wolf from the Door
"Keep the wolf from the door" is an English idiom. It means "to maintain oneself at the most basic level; to fend off hunger or poverty."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "keep the wolf from the door" used in a sentence:
  • His part-time job helps keep the wolf from the door.
  • They've been struggling to keep the wolf from the door since the recession hit.
  • Charities have been working to help families keep the wolf from the door.
meaning for keep the wolf from the door

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Keep the Wolf from the Door" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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