live by one's wits , także: live on one's wits

Living by your wits is always knowing where the wasps are.

"If you're going to make your living by your wits, you can't work all the time," he said.

Before you became part of the Clan, you were forced to live by your wits.

"In a place like this, where you live by your wits, a very small number of very bright people can make a huge difference."

Live by your wits, but rely on basic skills."

You have to live by your wits."

So you had to live by your wits as well as your sword."

"You do not understand the thrill of outwitting a foe, of living by your wits.

From an early age I expected them to do things for themselves, and sometimes for me, and when they snivelled about their friends having kind and conscientious mothers who changed their sheets and made fruit pies, I said 'Some day, when you're at Sunderland Polytechnic and living by your wits, you'll thank me.'