[scratch|scrape] a living

to have or earn just enough money or resources to meet basic needs and survive

The idiom "scratch a living" likely originates from the idea of scratching or scraping the ground in search of sustenance or resources, reminiscent of how animals might forage for food. It conveys the notion of barely managing to survive by making do with whatever resources are available, often in difficult or challenging circumstances.

Despite the difficult circumstances, they managed to scratch a living by selling homemade crafts.
In the remote village, families scratched a living from small-scale farming and livestock raising.
After losing his job, he had to scratch a living by doing odd jobs around the neighborhood.
The elderly couple scratched a living by collecting recyclables from the streets and selling them.
With no formal education, she had to scratch a living by working as a day laborer in the construction industry.