feed-trough

A worker fills the feed-trough with water for the steam locomotive.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A trough for feeding animals: "feed-trough" refers to a long, narrow container from which livestock or other animals eat their food.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The farmer filled the feed-trough with hay for the cattle. (A container used to hold animal feed.)
  • The horses gathered around the feed-trough to eat their grain. (The animals consumed food from the container.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be at the feed-trough": (informal, often figurative) to be in a position where one can receive benefits or resources, especially in a greedy or self-serving manner.
  • The corrupt officials were always at the feed-trough, taking bribes. (They were in a position to exploit resources for personal gain.)

Variants and Related Words

• Trough (n): a long, narrow, open container for animals to eat or drink from.

  • The pig drank water from the trough. (A container for drinking.)

• Feeder (n): a device or container that supplies food to animals.

  • The bird feeder was filled with seeds. (A container for providing food to birds.)

Synonyms

• Feeding trough: a container for animal feed.
• Manger: a trough or box for feeding horses or cattle.

Related Idioms

• "The trough of the wave": (figurative) a period of low activity or decline.

  • The economy is in the trough of the wave after the recession. (A low point in a cycle.)

• "To feed from the same trough": (informal) to share the same source of resources or benefits, often implying corruption or collusion.

  • The politicians and lobbyists feed from the same trough. (They both benefit from the same corrupt system.)