Phrase guide

bread and butter

intj · noun · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

intj

Meaning 1

Said when two people walking together are temporarily separated by an obstacle in order to indicate that they belong together.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

That which is central or fundamental, as to one's business, survival, or income; a staple or cornerstone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, plural, singular

Examples

  • They will do some machining if you ask them, but sheet metal has always been their bread and butter.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

The basic requirements of living, such as food and housing.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, plural, singular

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see bread, butter.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: plural, singular

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

the financial means whereby one lives

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • each child was expected to pay for their keep
  • he applied to the state for support
  • he could no longer earn his own livelihood

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: support, keep, livelihood, living, sustenance

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: resource

Narrower terms: comforts, creature comforts, amenities, conveniences, maintenance, meal ticket, subsistence

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Hindi: रोज़ी रोटी (rozī roṭī) — daily life survival
  • Indonesian: mata penghidupan — daily life survival
  • Indonesian: mata pencaharian — daily life survival
  • Urdu: روز و روٹی (roz o roṭī) — daily life survival