make a living

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make a living (third-person singular simple present makes a living, present participle making a living, simple past and past participle made a living)

1. To earn enough income to support oneself and, if applicable, one's family.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:make a living

   • 1972 March 14, Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola, The Godfather, spoken by Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), Paramount Pictures:

     You found paradise in America. You had a good trade, made a good living.

2. (of animals) To manage to find enough food to survive.