Livelihood is an essential aspect of our lives. It is the means by which we earn our bread and butter, provide for our families, and sustain ourselves financially. Throughout history, people have developed idioms and expressions related to livelihood, reflecting the importance of work and income in human society. In this article, we will explore 20 idioms and expressions related to livelihood, from “make ends meet” to “breadwinner.” Understanding and using these expressions can help you to communicate more effectively about financial matters and the world of work. So, let’s dive in and explore these idioms and expressions in more detail!
- Make ends meet: to have enough money to pay for basic necessities.
- Bread and butter: the main source of income or livelihood.
- Put food on the table: to provide for oneself or one’s family.
- Scratch a living: to earn a meager income.
- Living wage: a wage that is high enough to support a person or a family.
- Hand to mouth: living from day to day with barely enough money to get by.
- A penny saved is a penny earned: it’s important to save money in order to improve one’s financial situation.
- Ballpark figure: an approximate estimate or guess.
- Cash cow: a reliable source of income.
- Nine-to-five: a typical work schedule that starts in the morning and ends in the evening.
- Cut corners: to reduce costs by sacrificing quality or safety.
- Golden handshake: a generous severance package offered to an employee upon leaving a job.
- Rat race: a competitive and stressful work environment.
- Tighten one’s belt: to live frugally and cut back on expenses.
- Work one’s fingers to the bone: to work very hard for a long period of time.
- Bottom line: the final result or outcome, especially in terms of financial gain or loss.
- Feather one’s nest: to accumulate wealth or resources for oneself.
- Rainy day fund: savings set aside for unexpected expenses or emergencies.
- Skim the cream: to take the best or most profitable part of something.
- Breadwinner: the person who earns the money to support a family.