put food on the table
To provide enough money to cover basic necessities.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He works two jobs to put food on the table.”
“Even though the work is difficult and tiring, she stays because it helps her put food on the table for her children.”
“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.”
- 01
bring to the table
To contribute (something) to a joint effort or discussion.
- 02
clear the table
To remove plates, etc. from a table after a meal.
- 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.
- 04
fence the tables
To make a solemn address to those who present themselves to commune at the Lord's Supper, on the feelings appropriate to the service, in order to hinder, so far as possible, those who are unworthy from approaching the table.
- 05
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.
- 06
food chain
A hierarchy.
- 07
food for thought
Information or knowledge that is worthy of contemplation.
- 08
food noise
A mental preoccupation with food that is differentiable from hunger and from cravings but tends to urge people to overeat.
Last updated August 10, 2026