earn your keep

earn (one's) keep

To perform sufficient work or help in exchange for money or housing. If you're going to live here rent-free, then you need to earn your keep by helping out with the cooking and cleaning. That boarder earns his keep by doing maintenance in the building.See also: earn, keep

earn your keep

be worth the time, money, or effort spent on you.See also: earn, keep

ˌearn your ˈkeep

be useful, helpful, successful, etc. enough to balance any costs that you cause: Jill more than earns her keep with the help she gives me around the house. ♢ Though it’s expensive to buy and maintain, the new computer is earning its keep as we’ve been able to reduce the number of staff.See also: earn, keep