English

Verb

keep the wolf from the door

1. (idiomatic) To ward off poverty or hunger.

   They didn't earn much, but it was enough to keep the wolf from the door.

2. (idiomatic) (Can we verify⁽⁺⁾ this sense?) To delay sexual ejaculation.
   • 1997, Steve Coogan as Alan Partridge, “Alan Attraction”, in I'm Alan Partridge, written by Peter Baynham, Steve Coogan and Armando Iannucci:

     Do you mind if I talk? It helps me keep the wolf from the door, so to speak. Jill, what do you think of the pedestrianization of Norwich city centre?

   • 2002 July 30, the mekon, “Wanking”, in uk.media.dvd, Usenet:

     I find it useful to look at a picture of Mo Mowlam at the change hands point, it helps to "keep the wolf from the door" so to speak.

   • 2014 December 1, “Carnal Calendar”, in Men's Health:

     If you haven’t got the self-control to keep the wolf from the door yourself, ask your partner to help out. She’ll enjoy being the one in the driving seat for a change.

Translations

References

1. ↑ John Hardyng, Chronicle, XCVIII, xii, 1470 (republished in 1812)
2. ↑ Vol 3 of familiar letters, James Howell, publisher Humphrey Moseley, St Pauls Churchyard, 1655, page 8, copy of letter from 1647
3. ↑ Notes and Queries, 2nd series vol 4, no 84, 8 August 1857, page 115, Bell and Dalby, Fleet Street