don’t give up your day job: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘don't give up your day job’ mean?
The idiom don't give up your day job means to not rely on or quit your current job due to a lack of skill or success in another area. It advises against abandoning a secure source of income for a potentially risky or uncertain alternative.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "stay on" means to continue to work or be employed in a certain place or position for a period of time.
The idiom "hold down" means to maintain a job or position, usually requiring effort or responsibility.
The idiom "earn one's keep" means to work and contribute enough to cover one's own expenses or be useful and deserving of the resources one receives. It conveys the idea of being self-supporting or proving one's worth through hard work and productivity.
The idiom "earn one's crust" means to make enough money or achieve the necessary income to survive or sustain oneself.
The idiom "drop out" means to leave a group or quit a situation, often referring to withdrawing from school or abandoning a course of action.
The idiom "drop off the hooks" means to be extremely busy or overloaded with work. It is often used to describe a situation where a person is unable to handle or manage the amount of work they have to do.
The idiom "down but not out" means being temporarily defeated or in a difficult situation, but still having the determination and ability to recover and succeed.
The idiom "do well for oneself" means to be successful or prosperous in one's personal or professional life.
The idiom "don't call me sir, I work for a living" means that the speaker wants to be treated as an equal and not be addressed with excessive respect or formality because they have a job and work hard like everyone else.
Following Your Dreams
The idiom "don't give up your day job" is a figurative expression that advises against quitting one's current profession or occupation to pursue a different career or hobby. It is often used humorously to imply that the person lacks the necessary skills or talent to succeed in the alternative endeavor.
The origin of the idiom is unclear, but it likely gained popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century. It reflects the unpredictable nature of artistic or creative pursuits, where success is often elusive and financial stability is not guaranteed. By advising someone not to give up their day job, it suggests that they should maintain a steady income and not risk their livelihood for uncertain aspirations.
The idiom is commonly used in everyday conversations, particularly in informal settings or when discussing someone's abilities or career choices. It is often used in a lighthearted or humorous manner to convey the notion that someone's talents or skills may not be suitable for a particular endeavor.
However, it is important to note that the idiom has become a cliché over time, which may have diminished its impact or comedic effect. Nevertheless, "don't give up your day job" remains widely recognized and used in contemporary American English as a way to express skepticism or doubt about someone's potential to succeed in a different field.
The idiom "stay on" is related to "don't give up your day job" as it emphasizes the importance of sticking with one's current occupation or profession. Both idioms advise against making hasty or ill-considered decisions to abandon one's established source of income.
Similarly, the idiom "hold down" is related to "don't give up your day job" as it implies the need to maintain stability and control in one's current job or profession. It suggests that giving up one's day job may result in losing a secure source of income or stability.
The idiom "day in, day out" is related to "don't give up your day job" as it emphasizes the routine and repetitive nature of one's current occupation or profession. Both idioms imply that quitting one's day job may result in losing the familiarity and comfort of a consistent routine.
Lastly, the idiom "call it a day" is related to "don't give up your day job" as it suggests that one should not prematurely end their current job or profession. Both idioms caution against giving up too soon and encourage perseverance and commitment to one's existing source of income.
Example usage
1. The judge told the contestant on the talent show, "Your singing was terrible, so I suggest you don't give up your day job."
2. After attempting to fix the broken sink but making the problem even worse, his friends told him, "You should definitely not give up your day job as a lawyer."
3. When his painting was criticized for being amateurish, he was advised to continue improving his skills and not give up his day job as a teacher.
More "Careers" idioms
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