drawing a paycheck

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drawing a paycheck" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to receiving a salary or wage for work performed. Example: "After months of job searching, I finally found a position that allows me to start drawing a paycheck again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

A technology program manager, he was drawing a paycheck from Infosys but could not work for it or anyone else.

The New York Times

"Anyone connected with the shipping chain is not drawing a paycheck today, because of the actions of some of the highest-paid clerical workers in America".

The New York Times

"Maybe I've just chosen these characters from a rougher class because you can see them consider their lives in terms beyond where they're drawing a paycheck," he said.

The New York Times - Books

I no longer expect to see boot prints on Mars during my lifetime, nor do I expect that whoever eventually makes those boot prints will be drawing a paycheck from NASA, or even speaking English.

The New York Times - Science

Considering Roger Ebert's conflict of interest — drawing a paycheck for his television show from Disney, whose films he reviews — I hardly think he merits the near-sacred adulation Mr. Scott has given him.

The New York Times

So when I joined The Times later that year and began drawing a paycheck, I signed up myself and became one of the one million people worldwide sponsoring a child through Plan.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

She used to draw a paycheck from a day spa.

The New York Times - Magazine

Here are some of the roughest places to have to draw a paycheck over that time.

The New York Times

In Snodgrass's shoes, it hardly made sense to draw a paycheck.

The New Yorker

"I haven't drawn a paycheck in five years," Wigon said as he impaled another meatball on a toothpick.

The New Yorker

Most businesses are still closed, and people who work in Moore said they were worried about how they would draw a paycheck in the months ahead.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drawing a paycheck" to emphasize the ongoing nature of employment and the regular receipt of income. For example, "He's been drawing a paycheck from the company for over a decade."

Common error

Avoid using "drawing a paycheck" when referring to passive income sources like investments or royalties, as it implies active work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drawing a paycheck" functions as a verbal phrase that describes the act of receiving a salary or wages for work performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "drawing a paycheck" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe receiving regular payment for work, as validated by Ludwig AI. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives like "receiving a salary" in professional settings. Its usage is primarily found in News & Media, indicating its neutral tone and widespread understanding. Remember that this expression is to describe payment for active work and it's not intended to describe revenues coming from investments or similar.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

receiving a salary

Focuses on the act of getting paid regularly, especially in a professional setting.

earning wages

Emphasizes the effort and work done to gain income, suggesting hourly or piece-rate pay.

collecting a salary

Highlights the act of gathering income regularly, often implying a routine payment.

getting paid

Simple and direct, focuses on the act of receiving money for work.

being compensated

Formal and general, refers to receiving any form of payment or reward for services.

receiving remuneration

More formal term for receiving payment, often used in official or business contexts.

taking home a salary

Focuses on the net amount received after deductions.

cashing a paycheck

Highlights the act of converting a paper check into cash.

netting income

Indicates the income earned after all deductions and taxes.

getting renumerated

Expresses payment of salary/wages in a formal tone.

FAQs

What does "drawing a paycheck" mean?

The phrase "drawing a paycheck" means receiving a regular salary or wage from an employer for work performed.

What can I say instead of "drawing a paycheck"?

You can use alternatives like "receiving a salary", "earning wages", or "getting paid" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "drawing a paycheck" in formal writing?

While "drawing a paycheck" is widely understood, more formal alternatives like "receiving remuneration" or "being compensated" may be preferred in formal writing.

How can I use "drawing a paycheck" in a sentence?

Example: "After graduating, she was happy to finally start "drawing a paycheck" and building her career."