keep the wolf from the door Definition

wolf
noun wolves

1. A species of carnivorous mammal belonging to the dog family which hunts in packs, and has erect ears, a long muzzle and a long bushy tail.
2. Any similar animal.
3. colloq
A man with an insatiable appetite for sexual conquests.
4. A greedy or cunning person.
5. music.
A dissonance heard in a keyboard instrument not tuned by equal temperament.
6. music.
An extraneous discordant sound made by the bow on a stringed instrument.
Form: wolf note (also)

verb wolfed, wolfing

1. colloq
To gobble it quickly and greedily.
Form: wolf something down (usually)
intr
2. To hunt for wolves.

Derivative: wolfish
adj

Derivative: wolfishly
adverb

Derivative: wolflike
adj

Idiom: cry wolf

To give a false alarm, usually repeatedly.

Idiom: keep the wolf from the door

To ward off hunger or poverty.

Idiom: throw someone or something to the wolves (fling someone or something to the wolves)

To abandon them or it to certain destruction.

Idiom: wolf in sheep's clothing

A dangerous or powerful person who appears to be harmless.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon.