Bread is often called the staff of life.
staff of life
idiomBread or some other staple foodstuff.
Origin
disputed originBy extension from the Biblical phrase “break the staff of bread” (Hebrew מַטֶּה לֶחֶם (maté lékhem)), staff (“long, straight rod”) in this context meaning something that acts as a support: see, for example, Leviticus 26:26 (King James Version; spelling modernized): “And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied”; and Ezekiel 4:16: “[…] Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem, and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care, and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment: […]”. Compare Egyptian ḫt n ꜥnḫ (“grain; food”, literally “stick or wood of life”).
In many cultures, people rely on grain as the staff of life to survive.
Throughout human history, the humble loaf has served as the staff of life for civilizations across the globe.
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beg for one's life
To plead or make a desperate attempt to continue with what one has been doing.
- 02
bread of life
Anything which is regarded as a source or inspiration of spiritual nourishment.
- 03
bring back to life
To return someone to a state of consciousness or living after a state of unconsciousness, death or near-death.
- 04
cat and dog life
An unhappy married life marked by arguments and disagreements.
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change of life
Menopause.
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charmed life
A life in which one is always lucky and safe from danger.
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claim someone's life
To lead to someone's death.
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come to life
To become alive, to be given life; to be brought into existence.