Meaning of the word "bread and butter" in English

What does "bread and butter" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

bread and butter

US /ˈbrɛd ənd ˈbʌtər/
UK /ˈbrɛd ənd ˈbʌtər/

Idiom

1.

a person's livelihood or main source of income

Example:
For a farmer, growing crops is their bread and butter.
Selling software is the company's bread and butter.
2.

the basic necessities of life

Example:
They struggled to provide their children with bread and butter.
After losing his job, he worried about how to earn his bread and butter.