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.
(..) Gil goes every night? You heard her. He walks, and gets ideas. - You sound skeptical. - No. I've seen what he earns, but sometimes I think he's got a... got a... part missing, and I didn't like his remark about Tea Party Republicans. They are decent (..)2011 Midnight in Paris