Definition

1. Idiom (Verb phrase):
   • To earn a living; to provide the money needed to support one's family: This idiom means to work and earn the income necessary for household expenses and survival.
   • To succeed; to achieve a desired result: In a broader sense, it can also mean to be successful in an endeavor or to accomplish a goal.

Usage Examples

• Meaning: To earn a living:

  • With three children to feed, both parents have to bring home the bacon.
  • She's been bringing home the bacon ever since her husband lost his job.

• Meaning: To succeed or achieve a goal:

  • The team really brought home the bacon with that last-minute winning goal.
  • After months of hard work, our project finally brought home the bacon.

Advanced Usage

• The idiom is informal and often used in everyday conversation about work and success.
• It can be used in various tenses by conjugating the verb "bring":
  • Present: bring/brings home the bacon
  • Past: brought home the bacon
  • Future: will bring home the bacon

Variants and Related Words

• Breadwinner (n): A person who earns money to support their family.
  • He became the sole breadwinner after his wife returned to school.

Synonyms

• Earn a living: To make money to support oneself.
• Provide for: To supply what is necessary for someone's support.
• Succeed: To achieve a desired aim or result.
• Win the day: To be successful.

Related Phrases

• Bring home the bread: A less common variant with the same meaning.
• Put food on the table: A similar idiom meaning to provide the basic necessities for a family.

Notes on Meaning

• The primary and most common meaning is financial provision for a household.
• The secondary meaning of general success is also widely understood, often implying a tangible or valuable achievement.
• The imagery comes from the historical value of bacon as a prized, sustaining food item that a successful hunter or provider would bring to their family.

Verb

1. supply means of subsistence; earn a living
   • He provides for his large family by working three jobs
   • Women nowadays not only take care of the household but also bring home the bacon
2. attain success or reach a desired goal
   • The enterprise succeeded
   • We succeeded in getting tickets to the show
   • she struggled to overcome her handicap and won