keep one's head above water
to have the ability to pay one's bills, to keep out of difficult financial problems, to stay out of trouble

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

keep head above water
keep (your) head above water
to have just enough money to live or to continue a business.
With extra income from private sponsorship, the club is just about managing to keep its head above water.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

keep one's head above water
to have the ability to pay one's bills, to keep out of difficult financial problems, to stay out of trouble
He is having trouble keeping his head above water since his salary decreased.

My brother has been having a hard time keeping his head above water since he lost his job.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

keep one's head above water
v. phr. To remain solvent; manage to stay out of debt.
Herb's income declined so drastically that he now has difficulty keeping his head above water.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲