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
Edward	['edwəd]
Shoemaker	['ʃu:meikə]
Andrey	ahn-DRYAY (Russian)	Russian, Bulgarian
Gun	-	Swedish
Haggith	-	Biblical
Hailwic	-	Ancient Germanic