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.
(..) how many Unforgivable Curses there are? - Three, sir. - And they are so named? Because they are unforgivable. The use of any one of them will... Will earn you a one-way ticket to Azkaban, correct. The Ministry says you're too young to see what these curses do. I say different! You need to know (..)2005 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire