[turn] tricks
1
to engage in sexual activities in exchange for money
The idiom "turn a trick" originated in the world of prostitution, where it refers to the act of engaging in sexual activities in exchange for money. The phrase is used in a more general sense to describe any situation where someone uses their skills or abilities to accomplish a task or achieve a goal.
- If she doesn't find another job soon, she may have to turn tricks to pay the bills.
- She's been turning tricks for a few months now to make ends meet.
- The police have been cracking down on the area where sex workers turn tricks.
- Unless you turned a trick, you have no other specialties that could have earned you that much.