Meaning:

    “走” is to “walk,” and “穴” means a “den.” This term, originally used among traditional Chinese stand-up comedians in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), referred to the practice of performing in places other than one’s registered venue so that the performer could keep the money all to himself, without giving a cut to the venue operator. In the 1980s, the term was widely used to refer to the practice that people in show biz performed at private venues. Back then, people in show biz mostly worked for State-owned institutions. Later, the term began to be used in all professions, where people moonlight to earn extra money.

    Example:

    A: 科比还在打球，真不容易。

    Kēbǐ hái zài dǎqíu, zhēn bù róngyì。

    Kobe Bryant is still playing NBA games, good for him!

    B: 可不是吗？同是美国职业篮球联盟九六届的，艾弗森现在只能走穴糊口。

    Kěbùshì ma? Tóng shì měiguó zhíyè lánqíu liánméng jǐulìu jiè de, àifúsēn xiànzài zhǐnéng zǒuxué húkǒu。

    Isn’t that true? Another alumni from 1996’s draft, Allen Iverson now barely earns enough to live by showing up at random business promotions.