hand-to-mouth existence

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s still pretty much a hand-to-mouth existence for him.

From New York Times • Jun. 14, 2023

Restless handheld cinematography and brisk, sometimes almost breathless editing, give a sense of the exhausting rhythm of Nico’s hand-to-mouth existence and the superhuman juggling act required to muster the charisma that used to come naturally.

From The Guardian • May 11, 2020

Locked down for two months in crumbling apartments in a mob-infiltrated town north of Naples, their hand-to-mouth existence has grown even more precarious with no work, no food and no hope.

From Washington Times • May 2, 2020

The military seemed like the only way out of a hand-to-mouth existence, so Harris enlisted in the branch that seemed least dangerous.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 10, 2019

I have heard it more than once remarked that the hand-to-mouth existence is the most stimulating in the world.

From A Young Mutineer by Meade, L. T.