keep the lights on

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

to do just enough work to keep a business running, without growth or improvement

Why this phrase?

The bare minimum needed to stay alive: electricity, rent, payroll.

Example

“We're in keep-the-lights-on mode while we look for a buyer.”

Dictionary details

Alternate forms

keep-the-lights-on mode

Component words

keep

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

keep a straight face Neutral · CEFR B2

To remain serious and avoid smiling or laughing in an amusing or awkward moment.

keep the wolf from the door Neutral · CEFR B2

to earn or manage just enough to avoid poverty, hunger, or serious hardship

keep up appearances Neutral · CEFR B2

To preserve an outward impression that everything is normal or successful despite underlying trouble.

back against the wall Informal · CEFR B1

in a desperate situation with few options left

do the job Informal · CEFR B1

to be good enough to achieve the desired result

dry run Neutral · CEFR B1

a full practice session of a process, done for real except in name

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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