hand-to-mouth

[hand-tuh-mouth]

adjective

1. offering or providing the barest livelihood, sustenance, or support; meager; precarious.

   a hand-to-mouth existence.

hand-to-mouth

adjective

1. with barely enough money or food to satisfy immediate needs

   a hand-to-mouth existence

Word History and Origins

Origin of hand-to-mouth¹

First recorded in 1500–10