verb
    
    earns; earned; earning
    
    [+ obj] to get (money, a salary, etc.) for work that you have done
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    to deserve or get (something) because of something you have done
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    to make (someone) worthy or deserving of (something)
    
    
    
    
    
    earn a/your crust
    
    
    
    earn your spurs
    
    
    
    earn your stripes