She's just trying to 'earn a living'. [=to earn the money needed for food, clothing, etc.]
He will do anything to 'earn his keep'. [=to earn what is needed to support himself]
He 'earned/won his spurs' by doubling the company's profits in the past year.
(..) His enemy is the fel. This orc, Durotan. How do you know him? He freed me, and he is loved by his clan. Strong chiefs must earn their clans trust. If we are to expect you to join us. The gate. We saw it, in the morass. (..)2016 Warcraft