One’s Bread and Butter Meaning, Synonyms, Examples

The idiom “one’s bread and butter” means one’s main or most important source of income or livelihood. It refers to the basic food items that people need to survive, such as bread and butter. If someone says that teaching is their bread and butter, it means that teaching is their main job that pays for their living expenses. The idiom can also be used as an adjective to describe something that is basic, essential, or typical.

Usage With Examples

The idiom “one’s bread and butter” has been in use since the Middle Ages in Europe. Since peasants could only afford bread and butter along with soup at that time, this phrase originated. Here’s how to use this idiom correctly in a sentence:

1. Writing novels is her bread and butter, but she also enjoys painting and photography as hobbies.
2. The restaurant is known for its bread-and-butter pudding, which is a traditional dessert made with bread, butter, eggs, milk, and sugar.
3. He decided to quit his bread-and-butter job as an accountant and pursue his passion for music.

Also Read: 500+ Most Commonly Used Idioms in English

Synonyms and Similar Phrases

The above idiom has words and phrases in English that have similar meanings to it. Here are some of them:

1. Bread
2. Daily bread
3. Keep
4. Livelihood
5. Living
6. Means
7. Meat
8. Staff of life
9. Support
10. Sustenance

One’s Bread and Butter Quiz

Complete the sentence with the correct word or phrase to use the above idiom:

She is a talented singer, but her _ is working as a waitress at a diner.

A) bread and butter

B) cake and ice cream

C) cheese and crackers

D) milk and honey

The correct answer is A)

We hope that this blog helped you understand the meaning of the idiom “one’s bread and butter”, and its origin, synonyms, and usage in sentences. Keep following Leverage Edu to learn more idioms like this on a daily basis. Thank you for reading!