1. Expression：keep head above water

Explanation 1：To manage to survive, especially financially. （收入微薄以勉强维持生活，所挣之钱仅够糊口，不欠债）

Example：We have so little money that we can hardly keep our heads above water.

我们的钱太少了，几乎无法维持生活。

It's hard to keep your head above water on this much money.

靠这些钱维持生活是很苦难的。

Before the new highway was built, I could easily fill every table in my restaurant. These days, with fewer diners, it's become a struggle to stay in business. I'm barely keeping my head above water. I don't know how much longer I can afford to stay open.

没有那条高速公路的时候，我的餐馆里总是坐得满满的。可如今，客人少多了，钱越来越难赚，能维持收支平衡就已经很不容易了。我真不知道还能坚持多久。

My wife and I are excited about furnishing our new house in North Carolina. But since we still haven't sold our old place back in Massachusetts, it's been a huge financial challenge. So far we've kept our heads above water. We only hope we can find a buyer soon!

我跟太太正在装修北卡罗来纳州的新房子，兴奋极了。但是因为我们在麻萨诸塞州的旧房子还没有脱手，所以财务上压力很大。到目前为止，我们还能勉强支撑着，真希望能尽快找到买主。

Explanation 2：To keep up with one's work. （赶得上……）

Example ：It's all I can do to keep my head above water with the work I have. I can't take on any more.

我能做的就是赶完我手头上的工作，我可不能再接更多的活儿了。

We have so many orders that we can hardly keep our heads above water.

我们有太多订单了，几乎做不过来。

2. Expression：keep the wolf from the door

Explanation：To keep from starving, freezing, etc. （避免挨饿受冻，维持生计）

Example：We have a small amount of money saved, hardly enough to keep the wolf from the door.

我们省下的钱很少，几乎不够维持生计。

We were extremely poor then, and begging for scraps was all I could do to keep the wolf from the door.

我们当时穷得一贫如洗，我只能乞讨残羹剩饭来维持生计。

This loan will keep the wolf from the door, at least, but I'm worried it won't last long.

这笔贷款至少能维持生计，但我担心它维持不了多久。

A: I hear you are just promoted. You should change your car, right?

听说你刚晋升了，现在该换部车了吧？

B: Of course not. You know that I have got three children to feed. So despite my high salary, I can just keep the wolf from the door.

不行，你知道我有三个小孩要抚养。所以虽然收入可观，但是也只是勉强度日。