- 1. The basic necessities of life (food, shelter, etc.).
- 2. Someone's main source of income; the core activity or product that generates the most revenue for a person or business.
Explanation
Origin
- Comes from the literal meaning: bread and butter are basic, essential food items in many Western cultures.
- Metaphorically, it extends to represent the fundamental requirements for survival.
- In the income sense, it refers to the work or activity that reliably puts bread and butter on the table – i.e., pays for basic living expenses.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal (Income):
- Main gig
- Nine-to-five (Refers to a standard job)
- Hustle (Can be main or side income, implies effort)
- Cash cow (Refers to a business/product that generates steady profit)
Formal (Income):
- Primary revenue stream
- Core competency (For skills)
- Principal activity (For business)
(Necessities):
- Bare essentials
- Basic sustenance
Situational Appropriateness
- Acceptable in most contexts, including informal and business settings, when referring to income or core business.
- The basic necessities meaning is also widely acceptable but perhaps less common in everyday conversation than the income meaning.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Learners might initially think only of the literal food. Clarify the two common metaphorical meanings (necessities and main income).
Examples
- (Necessities): They struggled just to provide the bread and butter for their family.
- (Income): Teaching is my bread and butter, but I also write articles on the side.
- (Income): While they offer consulting, software sales are the company's bread and butter.
Dialogue
Interviewer: Your resume shows experience in various fields. What would you consider your core expertise?
Candidate: Well, data analysis is my bread and butter – that's where most of my professional experience lies. The project management work was supplementary.
Social Media Examples
- LinkedIn Profile Summary: Graphic design is my bread and butter, with a passion for branding and illustration.
- Tweet: Freelancing can be tough. Finding those consistent clients who become your bread and butter is key. #freelancelife
- Blog Post: Focusing on your bread-and-butter products is crucial before diversifying too much. #businessstrategy
Response Patterns
- (Necessities): Times are tough., That must be difficult.
- (Income): Oh, I see., That makes sense., Is it profitable?, Do you enjoy it?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- (Necessities): Expressing sympathy, potentially discussing ways to help or the broader economic situation.
- (Income): Asking more about the job or business activity, discussing its importance or stability.
Conversation Starter
- No. Typically used mid-conversation to explain one's primary job, business focus, or basic living situation.
Intonation
- Emphasis often balanced: BREAD and BUTTER.
- Tone is usually practical and straightforward.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used across generations.
Regional Variations
- Common in all major English-speaking regions.