“Bread and Butter” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on October 7, 2024 by Liam Daniel

The idiomatic phrase “bread and butter” is a phrase you may hear or see frequently in everyday conversation and writing. Here you will find the meaning of this phrase and the information of its origin. You will also find examples of how to properly use the phrase in conversations/statements and find suggestions on other ways to say the phrase while still conveying the same meaning.

“Bread and Butter” Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • The phrase “bread and butter” refers to something that is essential, basic, or provides the main source of income or livelihood. It’s often used to describe the core aspect of a person’s job, a business, or what sustains them financially.
Bread and Butter
Bread and Butter – Created by 7ESL

Bread and Butter Meaning

The phrase “bread and butter” refers to the essential means of support or livelihood. It often signifies the basic income or fundamental necessities that sustain someone or something. The term highlights the idea that bread and butter are basic food items that provide nourishment, making it a metaphor for what is necessary for survival or sustenance.

Examples:

  • “Freelancing is great, but my bread and butter comes from my full-time job.”
  • “Teaching is her bread and butter; it’s what pays the bills.”

Origin of this idiom

The phrase “bread and butter” was first used sometime during the 1700s. At this time, the phrase was simply used to describe the essentials of something. It was not until sometime in the 1800s that the additional meanings were adopted and implied with the phrase. Additionally, the term “bread and butter” is sometimes said by people as they walk together. When an object comes between them and they are forced to separate before rejoining one another, the couple says “bread and butter” as an act of superstition in an attempt to circumvent any issues that may come between them in the future.

Usage of “Bread and Butter”

  • In a work context:

“Customer service is the bread and butter of our business—it’s what keeps clients coming back.”

  • Talking about skills:

“Coding is his bread and butter; it’s what he’s known for and excels at.”

  • Referring to a source of income:

“The small bakery may sell pastries, but their bread and butter is selling fresh loaves to local restaurants.”

  • In a sports setting:

“His defensive skills are his bread and butter on the field.”

Related Terms to “Bread and Butter”

  • Livelihood – the means of securing the necessities of life, typically through work.
  • Mainstay – a person or thing on which something else is based or depends.
  • Essential income – the primary source of money needed for living expenses.
  • Staples – basic items or necessities, often referring to food.
  • Core business – the central or most important part of a business that generates income.
  • Foundation – the underlying basis or support for something.
  • Nut and bolts – the fundamental components that make something function.
  • Daily bread – a phrase that emphasizes the basic food and sustenance required for daily living.
  • Support system – the network of people or resources that provide essential help.
  • Primary source – the main or most important source of something, particularly income or resources.

Other Ways to Say “Bread And Butter”

There are several other ways you could say the phrase “bread and butter.” Some of the other ways you could say this phrase and convey the same meaning include:

  • Sole income
  • Livelihood
  • Provided basic needs
  • Source of income
  • Means of income
  • Source of livelihood

“Bread and Butter” Examples

Examples in Statements

A statement made to an entertainment magazine by a popular musical artist.

  • “I could get a Monday-Friday, 9-5 job if I had to. I did go to college and get my Bachelor’s Degree in IT. However, playing music is the bread and butter of my soul. I was born to play music.”

A statement made in a recent interview for a local newspaper story.

  • “I still can’t believe they have shut down the plant I have worked in all my life. That job was my bread and butter! I have no idea what I am going to do now.”

Examples in Conversations

A conversation between two co-workers at the office.

  • Co-worker 1: The company needs to stop focusing so much on all this high tech stuff.
  • Co-worker 2: I completely agree with you. We need to get back to the bread and butter of it all to fix the issues we already have before introducing new things.
  • Co-worker 1: My thoughts exactly! I mean, you need to know the basics before you can leap forward.

A conversation between two friends walking through the park.

  • Friend 1: I don’t know what to do now.
  • Friend 2: What do you mean? What is going on?
  • Friend 1: William lost his job yesterday. Just out of the blue, his boss came up and told him they were downsizing and he had been laid off.
  • Friend 2: He should be able to get unemployment at least for the time being until he can find something else.
  • Friend 1: Yes, I know that. However, his job was our bread and butter. With the new baby coming soon, we were counting on his income and benefits to cover all the stuff we need and to cover the labor and delivery.

More useful examples:

  • The mobile phone business was actually his bread and butter.
  • Gardening is my bread and butter at the moment.
  • The local operators manage the bread and butter chores of poster production and display, media buys and the like.
  • He doesn’t just write for fun, writing is his bread and butter.
  • How does he earn his bread and butter?
  • Before that, my bread and butter was going out and doing concerts.
  • Routine office work is my bread and butter.
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