The essential, sustaining element, as in The quality of the schools is the bread and butter of town property values . This idiom alludes to a basic food, bread spread with butter. [c. 1700]

"},{"id":"4effa20080539d28583503e7","ordinal":2,"source":"american-heritage","text":"

Means of livelihood, as in John's job is the family's bread and butter . [First half of 1700s]

"},{"id":"4effa20080539d28583503e8","ordinal":3,"source":"american-heritage","text":"

Ordinary, routine, as in Don't worry about it; this is just a bread and butter assignment . [Second half of 1800s]

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bread and butter

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