bread-and-butter

A young bread-and-butter miss walks to school with her books.

Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Providing a basic means of subsistence: "bread-and-butter" describes something that is fundamental to one's livelihood or income, often referring to a job or product that provides steady financial support.
   • Everyday or routine: It can also denote something ordinary, commonplace, or essential to daily life.

2. Noun (hyphenated compound, used attributively):

   • A staple or main source of income: "bread-and-butter" refers to the primary activity or product that sustains someone financially.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Teaching is his bread-and-butter job, though he also writes novels. (Teaching provides his basic income.)
  • These small repairs are the bread-and-butter work of the local mechanic. (These are the routine, essential tasks that keep the business running.)

• Noun (attributive):

  • For many farmers, dairy farming is their bread and butter. (It is their main source of livelihood.)

Advanced Usage

• "bread-and-butter letter": A thank-you note sent to a host after staying as a guest, especially one that expresses gratitude for hospitality and meals.

  • She wrote a bread-and-butter letter to her aunt after the weekend visit. (A polite thank-you note for the hosting.)

• "bread-and-butter issues": Topics or concerns that directly affect people's everyday lives, such as employment, housing, or food costs.

  • The candidate focused on bread-and-butter issues like healthcare and education. (Practical, everyday concerns.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bread and butter (noun phrase, unhyphenated): The literal combination of bread and butter as food.

  • He ate bread and butter for breakfast. (A simple meal.)

• Breadwinner (n): A person who earns money to support their family.

  • She is the breadwinner in her household. (The primary earner.)

Synonyms

• Staple: A basic or necessary item, especially in terms of income or diet.
  • Rice is a staple food in many Asian countries. (A fundamental food.)
• Livelihood: A means of securing the necessities of life.
  • Fishing is their livelihood. (Their way of earning money to live.)

Phrasal Verbs

• The term "bread-and-butter" is not used as a verb.

Related Idioms

• One's bread and butter: One's main source of income.

  • Acting is his bread and butter, but he also does voice-over work. (His primary income comes from acting.)

• Know which side one's bread is buttered on: To be aware of where one's advantage or benefit lies.

  • She knows which side her bread is buttered on, so she keeps her boss happy. (She understands how to maintain her position or income.)