Keep body and soul together is an idiom that means to manage to survive, typically by earning just enough money to afford the basic necessities of life, such as food and shelter.
The phrase dates back to the early 1700s. It stems from the traditional belief that the soul provides life to the body, and therefore, life only continues as long as the two remain united.
It describes the struggle to stay alive or maintain one's existence, often in difficult financial or physical circumstances. It is used when describing someone living on a very low income or in poverty, ensuring basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing are met. To manage to stay alive, barely surviving.
"She took two jobs just to keep body and soul together".
"His wages are barely enough to keep body and soul together".
