English Explanatory Dictionary

keep the home fires burning

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To maintain daily routine and provide the necessities of life in a home or community.

Pronunciation

En-au-keep the home fires burning.ogg

Word forms

keep the home fires burning keeps the home fires burning keeping the home fires burning kept the home fires burning

Etymology

A reference to keeping campfires, lights, etc. at one's home village burning, often while part of the population travels elsewhere to hunt, etc.

Related words

keep the lights on keep the wolf from the door
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