One’s bread and butter

Definitions

• main source of income
  Refers to the primary or essential means of financial support or livelihood

• essential task or duty
  Refers to the essential or fundamental responsibility or duty that one must perform in order to sustain their livelihood

Examples of One’s bread and butter

• Sarah's bread and butter is freelancing. She is a freelance writer and editor, and this is how she earns most of her income.

  "One's bread and butter" is an idiom that refers to the sources of income that provide a person with the most essential and important part of their livelihood. In this example, Sarah's primary source of income comes from freelancing, which is her bread and butter. This could also be interpreted to mean that writing and editing are the skills that Sarah is most proficient in, and these are the tasks that provide her with the most financial benefit.

• As an accountant, John's bread and butter is crunching numbers. He spends most of his workday pouring over spreadsheets, balance sheets, and income statements to help his clients manage their finances.

  "Crunching numbers" is a term used to describe the process of analyzing and manipulating financial data. In John's case, this is the task that generates the majority of his income and is therefore his bread and butter as an accountant.

• Jennifer's bread and butter is her art. She creates beautiful sculptures and paintings, but it's the commissions she receives for her work that provides her with a steady income.

  In this example, Jennifer's art is not just a creative pursuit; it's also a means of earning her living. The commissions she receives are her bread and butter, because they provide her with the financial stability she needs to continue creating art.

• As a freelance photographer, Emily's bread and butter is taking stunning pictures. Her work has been published in numerous magazines and she's developed a loyal client base, which allows her to earn a comfortable income from her photography.

  Emily's bread and butter is the work she does as a photographer, because this is where she generates the majority of her income. Her photography is not just a passion, it's also her livelihood, and the stunning images she creates provide her with the financial security she needs to continue pursuing her craft.

• Jane's bread and butter is teaching English as a second language. She makes most of her income through tutoring students privately and teaching ESL classes at a nearby community center. This is her primary source of income and allows her to pay her bills and support herself.

  "One's bread and butter" is a common idiom that refers to a person's main source of income or livelihood. The phrase "bread and butter" is derived from basic food items that people need to survive, such as bread and butter. In this context, Jane's teaching work is her bread and butter, as it provides her with the income she needs to live comfortably. This idiom is commonly used to describe a person's primary line of work or source of income, and it conveys the importance and necessity of this work in a person's life.

• Jane's bread and butter is teaching English. She has been teaching for over a decade and considers it her main source of income and job satisfaction.

  The idiom "one's bread and butter" refers to the primary source of income or livelihood for a person. In this case, teaching English is Jane's bread and butter because it provides her with the essential things she needs to survive, like bread and butter.

• Michael's bread and butter is his entrepreneurial ventures. He has started a few successful businesses over the years and enjoys the freedom that comes with being his own boss.

  The idiom can also refer to a person's passion or preferred work. In Michael's case, his entrepreneurial ventures are his bread and butter because they are his primary focus and provide him with the satisfaction he enjoys the most.

• After graduation, Sarah's bread and butter became freelance writing. She found that she could earn a decent income while working from the comfort of her own home, which allowed her to focus on her dreams of becoming a published author.

  This example showcases how someone's bread and butter can change over time as their circumstances evolve. Sarah's bread and butter after graduation was freelance writing, which provided her with the income she needed while she pursued her highly aspirational goal of becoming a published author.

Conclusion

The idiom "one’s bread and butter" is used to refer to the main source of income or the essential task or duty that sustains someone's livelihood. It can be used to indicate the primary means of financial support or the fundamental responsibility that one must fulfill in order to maintain their livelihood.

Origin of "One’s bread and butter"

The origin of the idiom "one’s bread and butter" can be traced back to the basic necessities of life. Bread and butter have been traditional staples in many cultures, symbolizing essential sustenance. The idiom reflects the importance of these basic food items in sustaining life, and by extension, the vital role that one's primary source of income or essential duties play in supporting their livelihood. The phrase likely originated from the understanding that bread and butter are fundamental to daily life, just as one's main source of income or essential responsibilities are fundamental to their livelihood.

The idiom has been used in English language for centuries, with early references dating back to the 18th century. It has since become a common expression to describe the essential elements that support someone's livelihood. The metaphorical usage of "bread and butter" highlights the significance of these elements in sustaining one's well-being and serves as a reminder of the fundamental aspects of life. Examples of the idiom can be found in literature, speeches, and everyday conversation, demonstrating its enduring relevance in describing the essential components of livelihood.