bread and butter: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘bread and butter’ mean?
The idiom "bread and butter" means a person's main source of income or the basic necessities of life.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "on the breadline" means to be in a state of poverty or financial hardship.
The idiom *know which side one's bread is buttered on* means to understand where one's interests lie and to act accordingly in order to benefit oneself or to avoid negative consequences. It suggests being aware of the people or situations that can provide advantages and acting in a way that maintains or strengthens those advantages.
The idiom "eat, breathe, and sleep" means to be completely consumed or obsessed with something, to the point where it becomes an essential and constant part of one's life.
The idiom "earn one's keep" means to work and contribute enough to cover one's own expenses or be useful and deserving of the resources one receives. It conveys the idea of being self-supporting or proving one's worth through hard work and productivity.
The idiom "earn one's crust" means to make enough money or achieve the necessary income to survive or sustain oneself.
The idiom "day in, day out" means consistently or without interruption, typically referring to a repetitive or monotonous daily routine or task.
The idiom "daily grind" refers to the everyday routine or monotonous tasks of one's job or life.
The idiom "cut to the chase" means to get to the main point or most important part of something without wasting time or providing unnecessary details.
The idiom "chicken feed" means a small amount of money or something that is of little value or significance.
An idiom is a phrase or expression that has a symbolic meaning, separate from its literal meaning. The phrase "by trade" is an idiom commonly used to indicate someone's primary or regular occupation.
Hidden Origins
The idiom "on the breadline" is closely related to the concept of bread and butter. It is used to describe a situation where someone is living in extreme poverty or a state of financial hardship. When someone is on the breadline, they are struggling to make ends meet and have just enough money to afford the very basic necessities, such as food and shelter.
Bread and butter, as an idiom, represents the essential elements of survival and livelihood. It symbolizes the income or resources that enable individuals to meet their basic needs. Being on the breadline, however, implies that someone's bread and butter are barely sufficient to sustain them, and they are living in a precarious financial situation.
The phrase "bread of life" is another related idiom that has its roots in religious and spiritual contexts. It is often used metaphorically to refer to something that brings sustenance, nourishment, or spiritual fulfillment. The concept of bread as a staple food is extended to represent something that is essential for one's well-being, whether it is physical or spiritual.
In a similar vein, bread and butter can also be seen as the "earn one's crust" idiom. This expression is used to describe a person's effort to earn a living or make money. To "earn one's crust" means to work hard and earn enough money to support oneself, similar to how bread and butter are seen as the fundamental means of sustenance.
When someone knows "which side their bread is buttered on," it means they are aware of where their best interests lie or how to act in order to maintain a favorable situation. This idiom suggests that there are certain actions or behavior that can ensure one's well-being or benefit in a given situation, just like buttering the side of bread that will be eaten.
Last, but not least, there is the idiom "a little bit of bread and no cheese." This phrase is used to describe a situation where someone is suffering from extreme poverty and lacks even the most basic necessities. It implies that someone has access to only the bare minimum, represented by a small piece of bread, but is unable to afford any additional luxuries or comforts, such as cheese.
These idioms related to bread and butter provide additional context and depth to the concept. They highlight different aspects of the importance of having a stable source of income or livelihood, and the consequences of not having enough to meet one's needs or aspirations. Bread and butter, in its literal and metaphorical senses, serves as a reminder of the fundamental elements that are essential for survival, well-being, and success in various aspects of life.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "bread and butter" can be used in a sentence:
- Her job as a teacher is her bread and butter.
- He lost his bread and butter when the company went bankrupt.
- They rely on rental income as their bread and butter.
More "Food" idioms
