In 15 Seconds
- Earning just enough money to survive.
- Covers basic needs like food and shelter.
- Implies financial struggle and difficulty.
- Used in informal, everyday conversations.
Meaning
This phrase means to earn just enough money to cover your basic needs like food and shelter. It implies a struggle, a constant effort to avoid falling into deeper poverty. Think of it as barely making ends meet, with no room for luxuries or savings.
Key Examples
3 of 12Texting a friend about finances
Yeah, work's been slow. I'm just trying to keep body and soul together right now.
Yeah, work's been slow. I'm just trying to keep body and soul together right now.
Instagram caption about a side hustle
Late nights and early mornings with this side hustle! It's tough, but it helps me keep body and soul together.
Late nights and early mornings with this side hustle! It's tough, but it helps me keep body and soul together.
Talking about a friend's difficult job
She's working two jobs, bless her heart. It's the only way she can keep body and soul together.
She's working two jobs, bless her heart. It's the only way she can keep body and soul together.
Cultural Background
This phrase reflects a fundamental human concern: survival. Its longevity suggests a deep-seated understanding across cultures that basic physical needs must be met for life to continue. The distinction between 'body' (physical needs) and 'soul' (essence of life/spirit) speaks to a historical view of humanity as more than just flesh. It existed long before modern economic systems, resonating with agrarian societies and early urban dwellers alike. It captures the universal struggle for subsistence.
Think 'Survival Mode'
When you hear `keep body and soul together`, picture someone just managing to stay afloat, not thriving. It's about the bare minimum for existence.
Connect 'Body' & 'Soul' to Needs
Remember: 'Body' = physical needs (food, rent), 'Soul' = basic life/spirit. Keeping them 'together' means meeting these essential requirements.
In 15 Seconds
- Earning just enough money to survive.
- Covers basic needs like food and shelter.
- Implies financial struggle and difficulty.
- Used in informal, everyday conversations.
What It Means
This idiom describes a situation where someone is working just hard enough to survive. They earn enough money to buy food and pay for a place to live. There's no extra cash for fun things or saving up. It's about meeting the absolute minimum requirements for life. It often carries a sense of struggle or difficulty. You're not thriving, just surviving. It’s like walking a tightrope over a financial pit.
Origin Story
The idea behind keep body and soul together dates back centuries. Thinkers and writers used it to describe the basic needs of human existence. The 'body' represents physical survival – food, shelter, clothing. The 'soul' represents the more spiritual or intellectual life. To keep them together means to provide for both the physical and the essential, non-material needs. It’s about maintaining your very being. Early uses often appeared in religious or philosophical texts. It’s a very old concept, reflecting basic human concerns. It’s not tied to one specific event but rather a general understanding of life's necessities. It's like saying you need bread for the body and purpose for the soul, and this phrase covers just getting the bread.
How To Use It
Use this phrase when talking about financial struggles. It's perfect when someone is working hard but only earning enough to get by. You can use it to describe your own situation or someone else's. It's generally used in informal conversations. It highlights the difficulty of living paycheck to paycheck. You might say it with a sigh, but it's not usually overly dramatic. It's a common way to express financial strain. Think about situations where people are working multiple jobs just to pay bills. That's the vibe.
Real-Life Examples
- My cousin works two jobs. He's barely keeping his body and soul together.
- After losing my main client, I spent months just trying to keep body and soul together.
- The new minimum wage increase will help many families keep body and soul together.
- It's tough for artists to make a living; many just manage to keep body and soul together.
- The refugee camp provided basic necessities to help families keep body and soul together.
When To Use It
Use keep body and soul together when you want to emphasize a minimal level of financial survival. It's good for discussing low-wage jobs or periods of unemployment. It fits when someone is working but their income is insufficient for anything beyond essentials. Use it when talking about the challenges faced by the working poor. It's also suitable for describing the financial state of students or artists. It conveys a sense of ongoing effort against financial hardship. It’s a realistic, sometimes somber, description of financial reality.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this phrase if you're talking about someone who is wealthy or comfortable. It doesn't fit situations where people have savings or can afford luxuries. Don't use it if you want to sound very formal or professional, like in a high-stakes business negotiation. It's too informal for official reports or academic papers. Also, don't use it if the situation is about severe starvation or homelessness; those are more extreme conditions. It's for *just enough*, not *not enough*.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes misuse this phrase by applying it to situations of abundance. They might say, 'I'm working hard to keep body and soul together,' while driving a new sports car. That's a bit like saying you're starving while eating a five-course meal! Another mistake is using it for temporary inconvenience, like a short-term budget crunch. It implies a more persistent struggle. It's not for when you're just choosing between a latte and a fancy sandwich.
Similar Expressions
- Make ends meet: This is very similar, focusing on balancing income and expenses. It's perhaps a bit more neutral.
- Scrape by: This implies living with very little, often with difficulty.
- Live paycheck to paycheck: This highlights the reliance on each salary payment without savings.
- Barely get by: Similar to
scrape by, emphasizing the minimal level of subsistence. - On a shoestring budget: This refers to managing with very limited funds.
Memory Trick
Imagine a person barely holding onto two things: their physical body (needing food, shelter) and their soul (representing life, spirit, basic existence). They are just managing to keep these two essential parts of themselves from falling apart financially. It's a visual of holding on tight! Think of it like juggling – you're just keeping the balls (body and soul) in the air, not doing any fancy tricks.
Quick FAQ
- Is it always negative? Not always negative, but it definitely highlights struggle. It's more realistic than optimistic.
- Can I use it for myself? Absolutely! It's common for people to describe their own financial situation this way.
- Is it about being poor? It's about *near* poverty, or the constant effort to avoid it. It’s about survival, not destitution.
Usage Notes
This idiom is best reserved for informal conversations. While it can describe serious financial hardship, its slightly dated feel means it might sound less impactful in very formal or professional contexts. Be mindful that it implies a struggle for *basic* survival, so avoid using it when discussing mere inconveniences or desires for luxury.
Think 'Survival Mode'
When you hear `keep body and soul together`, picture someone just managing to stay afloat, not thriving. It's about the bare minimum for existence.
Connect 'Body' & 'Soul' to Needs
Remember: 'Body' = physical needs (food, rent), 'Soul' = basic life/spirit. Keeping them 'together' means meeting these essential requirements.
A Universal Struggle
This phrase resonates across cultures because the struggle for basic survival is a fundamental human experience, dating back centuries before modern economies.
Avoid Overstating!
Don't use this for minor inconveniences! Saying you're struggling to `keep body and soul together` because you can't afford a new phone sounds out of touch.
Examples
12Yeah, work's been slow. I'm just trying to keep body and soul together right now.
Yeah, work's been slow. I'm just trying to keep body and soul together right now.
Shows a personal struggle to meet basic needs due to slow work.
Late nights and early mornings with this side hustle! It's tough, but it helps me keep body and soul together.
Late nights and early mornings with this side hustle! It's tough, but it helps me keep body and soul together.
Highlights the hard work involved in a side job to ensure basic survival.
She's working two jobs, bless her heart. It's the only way she can keep body and soul together.
She's working two jobs, bless her heart. It's the only way she can keep body and soul together.
Explains the necessity of multiple jobs to cover living expenses.
During that period, my primary focus was simply to keep body and soul together while seeking new opportunities.
During that period, my primary focus was simply to keep body and soul together while seeking new opportunities.
Used professionally but still conveys the struggle of a past difficult financial situation.
He's a brilliant painter, but sadly, most artists just manage to keep body and soul together.
He's a brilliant painter, but sadly, most artists just manage to keep body and soul together.
Reflects the common financial difficulties faced by people in creative professions.
My budget this month is so tight, I'm basically just trying to keep body and soul together with ramen noodles!
My budget this month is so tight, I'm basically just trying to keep body and soul together with ramen noodles!
Uses humor to describe extreme frugality, focusing on the bare minimum (ramen).
Looking back, those years were incredibly hard. We did everything we could just to keep body and soul together.
Looking back, those years were incredibly hard. We did everything we could just to keep body and soul together.
Conveys deep emotional weight and the intensity of past financial struggles.
✗ I bought a new yacht to keep body and soul together. → ✓ I bought a new yacht because I'm financially secure.
✗ I bought a new yacht to keep body and soul together. → ✓ I bought a new yacht because I'm financially secure.
This phrase is about survival, not luxury. Buying a yacht is the opposite of barely making ends meet.
✗ I can't afford the premium streaming tier, so I'm struggling to keep body and soul together. → ✓ I can't afford the premium streaming tier, so I'm cutting back.
✗ I can't afford the premium streaming tier, so I'm struggling to keep body and soul together. → ✓ I can't afford the premium streaming tier, so I'm cutting back.
This phrase implies a more serious financial struggle for basic survival, not just missing out on a luxury.
The goal of these initiatives is to help vulnerable populations keep body and soul together during crises.
The goal of these initiatives is to help vulnerable populations keep body and soul together during crises.
Shows how the phrase is used in contexts discussing support systems for those in need.
This hostel is basic, but it's perfect for budget travelers like me who are just trying to keep body and soul together while exploring.
This hostel is basic, but it's perfect for budget travelers like me who are just trying to keep body and soul together while exploring.
Connects the phrase to the practicalities of traveling with very limited funds.
Another day, another app. The gig economy makes it hard to consistently keep body and soul together. #freelancelife #struggle
Another day, another app. The gig economy makes it hard to consistently keep body and soul together. #freelancelife #struggle
Uses the phrase in a modern context (gig economy) with relevant hashtags.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct idiom.
The sentence describes needing money for basic survival after losing a job, which perfectly matches the meaning of 'keep body and soul together'.
Choose the sentence that uses the phrase correctly.
Which sentence uses 'keep body and soul together' correctly?
This option correctly shows someone working hard to meet basic needs, fitting the idiom's meaning of financial survival.
Find and fix the error in the sentence.
The original sentence implies that 'keeping body and soul together' is the minimum goal, but the speaker wants *more* than just survival. 'Make ends meet' fits better as the baseline the speaker wants to surpass.
Translate the English sentence into Spanish.
'Llegar a fin de mes' (to make it to the end of the month) or 'subsistir' (to subsist/survive) are good Spanish equivalents for the meaning of 'keep body and soul together'.
Complete the sentence with the most appropriate phrase.
The context is financial struggle for artists, making 'keep body and soul together' (to survive financially) the only logical choice among the options.
Find and fix the error in the sentence.
'Keep body and soul together' implies a continuous struggle for survival. A small prize might offer temporary relief, but not the fundamental survival state described by the idiom. 'Breathing room' captures the temporary easing of financial pressure better.
Put the words in the correct order to form a sentence.
This sentence structure correctly uses the idiom 'keep body and soul together' to express a state of basic financial survival.
Select the sentence where the idiom is used most appropriately.
Which sentence best illustrates the meaning of 'keep body and soul together'?
This option correctly links the idiom to the risky pursuit of a passion with uncertain financial returns, implying the need to survive on minimal income.
Complete the sentence with the most fitting idiom.
The context of refugees needing essential resources points directly to the meaning of financial and basic survival, which is captured by 'keep body and soul together'.
Identify and correct the misuse of the idiom.
The idiom 'keep body and soul together' implies a struggle to survive. A promotion and salary increase typically lead to comfort or prosperity, making the idiom inappropriate and contradictory in this context.
Translate the following sentence into French.
'Joindre les deux bouts' is a widely used French idiom that accurately conveys the meaning of managing to survive financially, similar to 'keep body and soul together'.
Choose the sentence that uses the idiom with the most nuance.
Which sentence uses 'keep body and soul together' to imply a specific kind of struggle?
This option implies a precarious, ongoing effort involving multiple unstable sources of income, highlighting the active struggle inherent in the phrase.
🎉 Score: /12
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum for 'Keep Body and Soul Together'
Used in casual chat, texts, among close friends.
Man, rent is due Friday, gotta keep body and soul together.
Common in everyday conversation, personal anecdotes.
He's working two jobs just to keep body and soul together.
Can be used in slightly more formal contexts if describing hardship.
The aid aims to help refugees keep body and soul together.
Generally avoided in very formal settings like official reports or academic papers.
N/A
Where You'll Hear 'Keep Body and Soul Together'
Talking about low-wage jobs
She's a waitress, barely keeping body and soul together.
Discussing unemployment
After the layoff, he struggled to keep body and soul together.
Budget travel
Hostels help travelers keep body and soul together.
Creative professions
Many artists just keep body and soul together.
Student life
Part-time work helps students keep body and soul together.
Gig economy
Gig work makes it hard to keep body and soul together.
Comparing Survival Idioms
Usage Categories for 'Keep Body and Soul Together'
Personal Struggle
- • Describing one's own finances
- • Talking about family hardship
- • Explaining career choices
Social Commentary
- • Discussing poverty issues
- • Critiquing low wages
- • Analyzing economic trends
Specific Groups
- • Artists and musicians
- • Students
- • Gig workers
- • Refugees
Informal Talk
- • Casual conversations
- • Text messages
- • Social media posts
Practice Bank
12 exercisesAfter the factory closed, he had to take a lower-paying job just to ______.
The sentence describes needing money for basic survival after losing a job, which perfectly matches the meaning of 'keep body and soul together'.
Which sentence uses 'keep body and soul together' correctly?
This option correctly shows someone working hard to meet basic needs, fitting the idiom's meaning of financial survival.
Find and fix the mistake:
My goal is to invest wisely so I can have extra money, not just to keep body and soul together.
The original sentence implies that 'keeping body and soul together' is the minimum goal, but the speaker wants *more* than just survival. 'Make ends meet' fits better as the baseline the speaker wants to surpass.
It's a difficult time; we're just trying to keep body and soul together.
Hints: Think about phrases for basic survival., Consider 'llegar a fin de mes' or 'subsistir'.
'Llegar a fin de mes' (to make it to the end of the month) or 'subsistir' (to subsist/survive) are good Spanish equivalents for the meaning of 'keep body and soul together'.
Many artists struggle financially, often finding it hard to ______ without a stable income.
The context is financial struggle for artists, making 'keep body and soul together' (to survive financially) the only logical choice among the options.
Find and fix the mistake:
After winning the small prize, I finally felt like I could keep body and soul together for a while.
'Keep body and soul together' implies a continuous struggle for survival. A small prize might offer temporary relief, but not the fundamental survival state described by the idiom. 'Breathing room' captures the temporary easing of financial pressure better.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
Click words above to build the sentence
This sentence structure correctly uses the idiom 'keep body and soul together' to express a state of basic financial survival.
Which sentence best illustrates the meaning of 'keep body and soul together'?
This option correctly links the idiom to the risky pursuit of a passion with uncertain financial returns, implying the need to survive on minimal income.
The charity's main goal is to provide essential resources that help refugees ______ during their displacement.
The context of refugees needing essential resources points directly to the meaning of financial and basic survival, which is captured by 'keep body and soul together'.
Find and fix the mistake:
With my new promotion and salary increase, I'm finally able to keep body and soul together.
The idiom 'keep body and soul together' implies a struggle to survive. A promotion and salary increase typically lead to comfort or prosperity, making the idiom inappropriate and contradictory in this context.
It's hard work, but it's the only way I can keep body and soul together.
Hints: Consider the French idiom for making ends meet., 'Joindre les deux bouts' is a common equivalent.
'Joindre les deux bouts' is a widely used French idiom that accurately conveys the meaning of managing to survive financially, similar to 'keep body and soul together'.
Which sentence uses 'keep body and soul together' to imply a specific kind of struggle?
This option implies a precarious, ongoing effort involving multiple unstable sources of income, highlighting the active struggle inherent in the phrase.
🎉 Score: /12
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
18 questionsLiterally, it suggests providing for both the physical needs of the body (like food and shelter) and the essential non-material aspects of life, often symbolized by the 'soul'. The idiom focuses on the difficulty of managing both.
The main idea is about surviving financially with just enough resources to cover essential living costs. It emphasizes the struggle and effort involved in meeting basic needs without any surplus.
It's generally seen as highlighting a difficult or challenging situation. While it's not overtly negative like 'destitute', it definitely carries a tone of struggle and hardship, focusing on survival rather than comfort or prosperity.
Absolutely! It's very common for people to use this phrase to describe their own financial challenges. Saying 'I'm just trying to keep body and soul together' is a relatable way to express living paycheck to paycheck.
It's best used in informal conversations when discussing financial difficulties, low-income jobs, periods of unemployment, or the general struggle to afford basic necessities like food and housing.
It can be used cautiously in professional settings, especially if you're discussing past hardships or the challenges faced by certain demographics (like artists or low-wage workers). However, avoid it in highly formal contexts or when discussing your current successful financial status.
'Make ends meet' is about balancing income and expenses, often implying you're just about managing. 'Keep body and soul together' suggests a more fundamental struggle for survival, focusing on covering the absolute essentials.
Yes, similar phrases include 'scrape by', 'get by on a shoestring budget', and 'live paycheck to paycheck'. Each has slightly different nuances, but they all relate to surviving with limited financial resources.
While the core meaning is consistent across English-speaking regions, the frequency of use might vary. The underlying concept of basic survival is universal, but this specific phrasing is widely understood in both American and British English.
The 'soul' here doesn't necessarily refer to a religious concept. It represents the essence of life, one's spirit, or the continuation of existence beyond mere physical survival. Keeping body and soul together means sustaining life itself.
Yes, it can be used humorously, often through exaggeration. For example, someone might joke about surviving solely on instant noodles during a tight month, saying they're 'just keeping body and soul together with ramen'.
A common mistake is using it to describe situations of comfort or luxury. For instance, saying you need to 'keep body and soul together' after buying an expensive gadget is incorrect, as the phrase implies scarcity, not abundance.
Generally, no. The idiom strongly implies a lack of savings and a focus solely on meeting immediate, essential needs. Having some savings usually means you're beyond the stage of just 'keeping body and soul together'.
The distinction between body and soul has been a topic in philosophy and religion for centuries, representing the physical and spiritual/essential aspects of a person. This phrase taps into that ancient understanding of human existence.
Often, yes. The phrase usually implies that significant effort or hard work is required just to achieve this minimal level of survival. It's not typically used for people who are effortlessly surviving.
It describes the edge of poverty, or the state of being poor enough that only basic survival is possible. It's about the constant effort needed to avoid falling into deeper destitution.
It could be used if illness leads to severe financial hardship, making it difficult to afford basic needs. However, the primary focus of the idiom is financial struggle, not the illness itself.
The vibe is one of struggle, resilience, and basic survival. It's often said with a sigh or a sense of realism about the difficulties of life, without being overly dramatic or hopeless.
Related Phrases
make ends meet
synonymTo have just enough money to pay for the things you need.
Both phrases describe financial survival, but 'make ends meet' focuses more on balancing income and expenses, whereas 'keep body and soul together' emphasizes the struggle for basic necessities.
scrape by
synonymTo live with very little money, often with difficulty.
'Scrape by' is very similar and implies living with minimal resources, often highlighting the difficulty and precariousness, much like 'keep body and soul together'.
live paycheck to paycheck
related topicTo spend all your wages as soon as you earn them, leaving no savings.
This phrase describes the financial situation that often necessitates trying to 'keep body and soul together', highlighting the lack of financial buffer.
on a shoestring budget
related topicUsing or managing with very little money.
Operating 'on a shoestring budget' is the practical reality for someone trying to 'keep body and soul together'.
prosper
antonymTo be successful, especially in making money.
'Prosper' means to thrive and be financially successful, which is the opposite of the struggle implied by 'keep body and soul together'.
struggle to survive
synonymTo have great difficulty in continuing to live.
This is a more direct and less idiomatic way to express the same core idea of fighting for basic existence that 'keep body and soul together' conveys.
