ENGLISH
REFERENCE

put food on the table

idiom
Meaning

To provide enough money to cover basic necessities.


Examples
SIMPLE

He works two jobs to put food on the table.

CONTEXTUAL

Even though the work is difficult and tiring, she stays because it helps her put food on the table for her children.

COMPLEX

Despite the economic downturn and the scarcity of local opportunities, he labored tirelessly in the fields to put food on the table for his growing family.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    bring to the table

    To contribute (something) to a joint effort or discussion.

  2. 02

    clear the table

    To remove plates, etc. from a table after a meal.

  3. 03

    eat one's own dog food

    To use or consume the economic goods or services that one is producing; to be part of a closed household economy.

  4. 04

    food baby

    A protruding belly resulting from the consumption of a large quantity of food; the contents of one's digestive system causing the protrusion.

  5. 05

    food chain

    A hierarchy.

  6. 06

    food for thought

    Information or knowledge that is worthy of contemplation.

  7. 07

    food noise

    A mental preoccupation with food that is differentiable from hunger and from cravings but tends to urge people to overeat.

  8. 08

    kiddie table

    The gathering place, forum, or venue assigned to less prominent or less capable participants in an event.

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