keep the pot boiling Definition

pot¹
noun

1. Any of various domestic containers, usually deep round ones, used as cooking or serving utensils, or for storage.

Thesaurus: pan, container, basin, urn, jar, receptacle, vessel, samovar, beaker, bowl, flask.
2. A potful.

Example: a pot of tea
3. pottery.
Any handmade container.
4. The pool of accumulated bets in any gambling game.
5. In snooker, billiards, pool, etc: a shot that pockets a ball.
6. A casual shot.

Example: take a pot at something
7. A chamberpot.
8. A flowerpot or plant pot.
9. colloq
A great deal, especially of money.
Form: pots
10. colloq
A trophy, especially a cup.
11. A pot-belly.

verb potted, potting

1. To plant something in a plant pot.
2. To preserve (a type of food) in a pot.
3. In snooker, billiards, pool, etc: to shoot (a ball) into a pocket.

Example: couldn't pot the black
4a. colloq
To shoot at (an animal, bird, etc), especially indiscriminately or wildly;
4b. To win or secure, especially by shooting.

Example: potted six grouse today

Derivative: potted
adj

See separate entry.

Idiom: go to pot

colloq
To degenerate badly.
Thesaurus: deteriorate, decay, go to ruin, fall apart, backslide.

Idiom: keep the pot boiling

colloq
To sustain public interest in something.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon pott.