bread and butter

bread and butter

n.

1. Means of support; livelihood.

2. The essential sustaining element or elements; the mainstay: "As ever, politics, vulgarity and sentimentality were the bread and butter of the Academy Awards" (David Ansen).

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bread and butter Informal

n

1. a means of support or subsistence; livelihood the inheritance was their bread and butter (modifier)

bread-and-butter

a.  providing a basic means of subsistence a bread-and-butter job

b.  solid, reliable, or practical a bread-and-butter player

c.  expressing gratitude, as for hospitality (esp in the phrase bread-and-butter letter)

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

bread and butter - the financial means whereby one lives; "each child was expected to pay for their keep"; "he applied to the state for support"; "he could no longer earn his own livelihood" keep, livelihood, sustenance, living, support resource - available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed amenities, comforts, conveniences, creature comforts - things that make you comfortable and at ease; "all the comforts of home" maintenance - means of maintenance of a family or group meal ticket - a source of income or livelihood subsistence - minimal (or marginal) resources for subsisting; "social security provided only a bare subsistence"

Translations

bread and butter n it's his bread and butter (livelihood) → è il suo pane