earn your keep
earn (one's) keep
To perform sufficient work or help in exchange for money or housing. If you're going to live here rent-free, then you need to earn your keep by helping out with the cooking and cleaning. That boarder earns his keep by doing maintenance in the building.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
earn your keep
be worth the time, money, or effort spent on you.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
ˌearn your ˈkeep
be useful, helpful, successful, etc. enough to balance any costs that you cause: Jill more than earns her keep with the help she gives me around the house. ♢ Though it’s expensive to buy and maintain, the new computer is earning its keep as we’ve been able to reduce the number of staff.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017