煙けむりを立たてる

expression, ichidan verb

make a living; earn a livelihood

Idiomatic expression literally meaning 'to raise smoke', used figuratively for managing to get by financially. Often implies a modest or precarious living.

• 彼かれは小ちいさな店みせで煙けむりを立たてている。

  He makes a living with his small shop.

• どうにか煙けむりを立たてるだけの収しゅう入にゅうはある。

  I have just enough income to get by.