bread and butter

¹

noun

1. bread spread with butter.
2. a basic means of support; source of livelihood; sustenance:

   The automobile industry is the bread and butter of many Detroiters.

bread-and-butter

²

[ bred-n-buht-er ]

adjective

1. 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.

2. of or relating to basic needs:

   housing and other bread-and-butter political issues.

3. basic or everyday; staple; routine.
4. expressing thanks for hospitality:

   a bread-and-butter letter.

bread and butter

noun

1. modifier a means of support or subsistence; livelihood

   the inheritance was their bread and butter

2. 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 )

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

Example Sentences

“I knew Boyfriend would never really have its chance unless it became my bread-and-butter,” she says.

From The Daily Beast

Get immigration done and the party will be able to compete again on bread-and-butter issues with most of the electorate.

From The Daily Beast

It's easy to see how a governor with a proven track record and a focus on bread-and-butter issues could do well.

From The Daily Beast

Isnt anything but bread-and-butter, and such things, appealing to you in life, child?

From Project Gutenberg

Paul went on talking in a quiet, low tone, while Digby was munching a thick slice of bread-and-butter.

From Project Gutenberg

In an incautious moment, influenced by the idea of saving her bread-and-butter, Mrs Pike gave up the key.

From Project Gutenberg

Phebe, do you think there's any chance of cook's giving us some cake, or even some bread-and-butter, to take with us?'

From Project Gutenberg

But I meant that Algernon has shown his sense in not selecting a bread-and-butter Miss.

From Project Gutenberg