bread and butter
That which is central or fundamental, as to one's business, survival, or income; a staple or cornerstone.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Selling coffee is the bread and butter of this small shop.”
“While the company experiments with new technology, their bread and butter remains the basic software they have sold for years.”
“Although the author enjoyed writing experimental poetry, his bread and butter was the series of detective novels that paid his monthly rent.”
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a little bit of bread and no cheese
Used to represent the song of the yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella).
- 02
best thing since sliced bread
Alternative form of greatest thing since sliced bread.
- 03
bread and circuses
Food and entertainment handed out by those in power to keep the public quiet.
- 04
bread of life
Anything which is regarded as a source or inspiration of spiritual nourishment.
- 05
brown bread
Dead.
- 06
burn bread
To cause something unfortunate to happen to (someone) by mentioning it; to jinx something for (someone).
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butter face
Alternative form of butterface.
- 08
butter one's bread on both sides
To profit from two things at the same time, especially when those things seem contradictory or incompatible.
Last updated August 10, 2026