butter

someone's bread and butter

Fig. someone's basic income; someone's livelihood—the source of one's food. I can't miss another day of work. That's my bread and butter. I worked as a bartender for a year, and it was the tips that were my bread and butter.

See also: and, bread

bread always falls on the buttered side

Prov. When things go wrong, they go completely wrong. Not only did my phone break, but it broke today—today of all days, when I'm expecting a really important call. The bread always falls on the buttered side. When the painting fell off the wall, it landed on a priceless porcelain vase and broke it. The bread always falls on the buttered side.

See also: always, bread, fall, side

bread-and-butter letter

a letter or note written to follow up on a visit; a thank-you note. When I got back from the sales meeting, I took two days to write bread-and-butter letters to the people I met. I got sort of a bread-and-butter letter from my nephew, who wants to visit me next summer.

See also: letter

butter someone up and butter up to someone

to flatter someone; to treat someone especially nicely in hopes of receiving special favors. (See also spread something on thick; soft soap.) A student tried to butter the teacher up. She buttered up the teacher again.

See also: up

butter wouldn't melt (in someone's mouth)

Prov. Someone is acting as if innocent. By the time her parents came home, Emily had cleaned up all evidence of having broken the valuable figurine, and she looked as though butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. Jane: How can you suspect George of playing that practical joke on you? He looks so innocent. Jill: Yes, butter wouldn't melt, I'm sure.

See also: melt

Fine words butter no parsnips.

Prov. Just because someone promises something does not guarantee that he or she will do it. (Can be used as a rebuke, implying that the person you are addressing is promising something he or she will not do, as in the second example.) Sue: Tom promised he would buy me any house I want if I marry him! Jane: Fine words butter no parsnips. Fred: Sweetheart, I'm very sorry I've been so short-tempered. I'll never, never be like that anymore. Ellen: Fine words butter no parsnips.

See also: fine, word

know which side one's bread is buttered on

Prov. to be aware of where your money comes from; to be loyal to the person or thing that will benefit you the most. Wife: Please be sure not to upset Grandma. You know we can't do without the money she sends us every month. Husband: Don't worry. I know which side my bread is buttered on.

See also: bread, know, side

look as if butter wouldn't melt in one's mouth

Fig. to appear to be cold and unfeeling (despite any information to the contrary). Sally looks as if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. She can be so cruel. What a sour face. He looks as if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth.

See also: if, look, melt, mouth

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somebody's bread and butter  (informal)

a job or activity that provides you with the money you need to live Teaching at the local college is his bread and butter.

See also: and, bread

butter wouldn't melt in somebody's mouth

if butter wouldn't melt in someone's mouth, they look as if they would never do anything wrong although you think they would She looks as though butter wouldn't melt in her mouth but I've seen her fighting with the younger kids.

See also: melt, mouth

cut/go through something like a (hot) knife through butter

to cut something very easily A laser beam can cut through metal like a hot knife through butter.

See also: cut, knife, like, through

know which side your bread is buttered (on)

to be careful not to upset people who you know can help you Ollie won't refuse to come with us. He knows which side his bread is buttered.

See also: bread, know, side

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your bread and butter

something that provides you with regular income Our customers are our bread and butter, so treat them with respect.

See also: and, bread

butter somebody up also butter up somebody

to praise someone in order to get them to like you or do what you want The magazine tried to get her to write an article by buttering her up.

See also: up