bring home: Idiom Meaning and Origin

What does ‘bring home’ mean?

"Bring home" is an idiom that means to make something clear or understandable. It can also mean to achieve or obtain something successfully.

Idiom Explorer

The Significance of Backward Steps

The idiom "bring home the bacon" is a common phrase that is used in everyday conversation. It has a clear and straightforward meaning that is easy to understand. The idiom implies the action of bringing something to one's home or to a familiar place, specifically referring to providing for one's family or earning a living. It is often used in relation to work or financial activities, where someone brings home the money or resources needed to support themselves and their loved ones.

In the context of work, the idiom "bring home the bacon" refers to the act of bringing home the income or financial resources necessary to support one's family or household. It emphasizes the responsibility and dedication involved in earning a living and fulfilling the basic needs of those who depend on you. The idiom acknowledges the role of work in providing stability and security for one's family, highlighting the importance of being able to bring home the necessary resources to meet their needs.

Similarly, the idiom "bring together" is also related to the concept of bringing things closer to home. It implies the act of gathering or uniting different individuals, ideas, or elements to create a sense of unity or cohesion. The idiom suggests the importance of building connections and fostering collaboration in various contexts, such as personal relationships, teamwork, or community engagement.

Bring home the groceries before it rains.

When used in the context of personal relationships, the idiom "bring together" refers to the act of bridging differences or resolving conflicts to create harmony and understanding. It emphasizes the value of open communication, empathy, and compromise in building strong and meaningful connections with others. The idiom underscores the significance of creating a nurturing and supportive environment within personal relationships, where individuals can feel understood and valued.

In a broader sense, the idiom "bring together" can also apply to teamwork or collaborative efforts. It implies the act of uniting individuals with different skills, expertise, or perspectives to achieve a common goal or address a shared challenge. The idiom highlights the power of collective intelligence, diversity, and collaboration in problem-solving and innovation. It emphasizes the idea that bringing together different talents and ideas can lead to more effective and successful outcomes.

Lastly, the idiom "bring about" is also relevant to the discussion of bringing things home. It implies the act of causing or initiating a specific outcome or result. The idiom suggests the ability to create change or take action to achieve a desired outcome. It is often used when discussing causation or the process of making something happen.

When used in the context of bringing about change, the idiom "bring about" implies the power to initiate transformation or make a difference. It emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility and actively engaging in actions that can lead to positive outcomes. The idiom underscores the idea that individuals have agency and can play a role in shaping their own lives and the world around them.

The idiom "bring home" has multiple layers of meaning and can be applied in various contexts. It encompasses the act of providing for one's family or earning a living, as well as the importance of unity, collaboration, and taking action. The idiom highlights the value of bringing things closer to home, whether it be resources, relationships, understanding, or change. It underscores the interconnectedness of different aspects of life and the significance of creating a supportive and nurturing environment within one's personal and professional spheres. So next time you hear or use the idiom "bring home," remember its rich connotations and the power it holds in capturing the essence of human experiences.

Example usage

Examples of how the idiom bring home can be used in a sentence:

  1. She always brings home her work laptop on weekends.
  2. We need to bring home some groceries on our way back.
  3. He hoped to bring home a gold medal in the upcoming Olympics.

More "verb" idioms