View synonyms for

bread and butter

noun

bread spread with butter.
a basic means of support; source of livelihood; sustenance:
The automobile industry is the bread and butter of many Detroiters.

bread-and-butter

[ bred-n-buht-er ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

providing a livelihood or basic source of income; supplying the basic needs of life:
a bread-and-butter job; the agency's bread-and-butter account.
of or relating to basic needs:
housing and other bread-and-butter political issues.
basic or everyday; staple; routine.
expressing thanks for hospitality:
a bread-and-butter letter.

bread and butter

noun

modifier a means of support or subsistence; livelihood
the inheritance was their bread and butter
bread-and-butter
1. providing a basic means of subsistence
  a bread-and-butter job
2. solid, reliable, or practical
  a bread-and-butter player
3. expressing gratitude, as for hospitality (esp in the phrase bread-and-butter letter )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of bread and butter¹

First recorded in 1620–30

Origin of bread and butter²

First recorded in 1720–30; adj. use of noun phrase bread and butter

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

I feel like rock is still the bread and butter of what I know how to do.

From

Still, for much of the next year and a half, money from charities and more than $2.5 million from the National Institutes of Health remained Kaspar’s bread and butter.

From

Playing in front of fans around the country is the bread and butter for any musician.

From

The first-time elected official — she prefers that title over “politician” because it “impresses on people that this is not something you’re given” — plans to focus on “bread and butter issues” the moment she enters office.

From

This is the bread and butter of our players.

From

bread bread-and-butter letter

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