Bread and butter

The term 'bread and butter' refers to one's basic livelihood or income from a job.

The idiom 'bread and butter' originates from the idea of bread and butter being basic food items that one can live on. This idiom therefore refers to a person's main source of income or the job that provides the money they need to live and afford basic necessities like food, housing, healthcare and more. It can be used to describe any work or occupation that is a person's primary means of earning a living. It's often used in the context of professions, industries or businesses that are steady, consistent and reliable, much like how bread and butter is a consistent and reliable food staple.

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Use cases

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Teaching English to Korean and Japanese students is my bread and butter, it's the job that provides me with the income I need to live comfortably.

For many rural farmers, the cultivation of rice is their bread and butter. It's what they rely on for their livelihood.

His bread and butter comes from his job at the factory, where he works long hours to ensure he can provide for his family.

While she may enjoy performing in local theatre productions, her bread and butter is teaching drama classes at the community college.

For most professional athletes, their sport is their bread and butter. They rely on their athletic abilities to earn a living.

My uncle's bread and butter is his carpentry business. He's been building and repairing furniture for over 30 years.

The tech industry is the bread and butter of Silicon Valley, with hundreds of tech companies providing jobs and income for the people living there.

While he enjoys painting abstract art, his bread and butter is creating commercial logos and designs for companies.

The fashion industry is the bread and butter of Milan. It's the city's main source of income and employment.

For many writers, their bread and butter comes from writing articles and blogs for online platforms.

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