live by one's wits

Manage by clever expedience rather than hard work or wealth. For example, Alan's never held a steady job but manages to live by his wits. This expression uses wits in the sense of "keen mental faculties." [c. 1600]

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Darwin	DAHR-win	English
Dion	DEE-ahn (English), dee-AHN (English)	Ancient Greek, English
Eliza	i-LIE-zə (English), e-LEE-zah (Polish)	English, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian)
Linn	[lin]
Luukas	LOO:-kahs	Finnish
Dietrich	DEET-rikh	German