How do you use "Earn a Crust" in a sentence?

Just trying to earn a crust. It's hard to earn a crust these days. How do you earn your crust? Honest way to earn a crust.

Earn a Crust

Q: What does "Earn a Crust" mean?

To earn a living, make money to survive British expression for earning enough to live—just getting by. A 'crust' is basic sustenance (bread), so earning a crust is earning basic survival money.

Slang Term BritishAustralian ★★★☆☆ Moderate Casual

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Meaning: To earn a living, make money to survive

谋生、挣钱糊口

Ganarse la vida, ganar dinero para sobrevivir

生計を立てる、生きていくための金を稼ぐ

생계를 꾸리다, 먹고살 만큼 벌다

British expression for earning enough to live—just getting by. A 'crust' is basic sustenance (bread), so earning a crust is earning basic survival money.

英国表达，意为勉强维持生计。'crust'（面包皮）代表基本食物，所以赚面包皮就是赚取基本生存所需的钱。

Expresión británica para ganar lo suficiente para vivir—apenas sobrevivir. Una 'crust' (corteza) es sustento básico (pan), así que ganar una corteza es ganar dinero para la supervivencia básica.

イギリスの表現で、生きていくのにぎりぎり足りるお金を稼ぐこと。'crust'（パンの耳）は基本的な食べ物を意味するので、crust を稼ぐとは生存に必要な基本的なお金を稼ぐこと。

겨우 먹고살 만큼 번다는 뜻의 영국식 표현. 'crust'는 빵 껍질로 기본적인 식량을 의미하며, 생존을 위한 최소한의 수입을 번다는 뉘앙스이다.

Literal meaning: Earn enough for bread.

Examples

Just trying to earn a crust.
只是想挣钱糊口。
Solo intento ganarme la vida.
生計を立てようとしているだけだ。
그냥 먹고살려고 하는 것뿐이야.
It's hard to earn a crust these days.
现在谋生不容易。
Es difícil ganarse el pan hoy en día.
最近は生計を立てるのが大変だ。
요즘 생계를 꾸리기가 힘들어.
How do you earn your crust?
你靠什么谋生？
¿Cómo te ganas la vida?
何で生計を立てているの？
뭘로 먹고살아?
Honest way to earn a crust.
诚实谋生的方式。
Una forma honesta de ganarse la vida.
正直な稼ぎ方だ。
정직하게 먹고사는 방법이야.

Pronunciation

/ɜːn ə krʌst/

Usage Guide

Context: work, livelihood, survival

Tone: humble, matter-of-fact

✓ Do Say

Earn a crust.
谋生
Ganarse la vida
生計を立てる
생계를 꾸리다.
Earning a crust.
挣钱糊口
Ganándose el pan
食べていく
먹고살려고 애쓰다.
Just to earn a crust.
只是为了糊口
Solo para ganarse la vida
ただ生計のため
먹고살기 위해서.

✗ Don't Say

Implies modest earnings
暗示收入不多
Implica ingresos modestos
控えめな収入を意味する
소박한 수입을 암시함
Working-class expression
工薪阶层的表达
Expresión de clase trabajadora
労働者階級の表現
서민층에서 주로 쓰는 표현

Common Mistakes

Implies basic survival, not wealth
British/Irish specific

Origin & History

From 'crust' meaning a piece of bread—basic sustenance. Earning a crust means making just enough to survive. British working-class expression.

Etymology: From crust of bread as basic sustenance

First recorded: British expression from 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages in UK

Social background: Working class origins

Pop culture: British working-class media; Discussion of honest work

Regional notes: British, Australian, Irish. Not American.

Variations

Earn a crustEarning a crustEarn one's crust