bread (redirected from knowing which side bread is buttered on)

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, butter

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, butter, fall, side

bread and water

Fig. the most minimal meal possible; a meal as once was given to prisoners. (Usually used in reference to being in prison or jail.) Wilbur knew that if he got in trouble again it would be at least a year on bread and water. This dinner is terrible again. I would rather have bread and water! Why don't we ever have pizza?

See also: and, water

Bread is the staff of life.

Prov. Food is necessary for people to survive. Miranda likes to give money to charities that feed people. "Other services are important," she reasons, "but bread is the staff of life." Jill: Want to go to lunch with us, Bob? Bob: No. I must work on my novel while inspiration lasts. Jill: Don't forget to eat. Bread is the staff of life, you know.

See also: life, staff

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

break bread with someone

Fig. to eat a meal with someone. Please come by and break bread with us sometime. I would like to break bread with you.

See also: break

Cast one's bread upon the waters.

Prov. Act generous because you feel it is right and not because you expect a reward. (Biblical.) Joseph is casting his bread upon the waters, supporting Bob while he works on his novel Cast your bread upon the waters; make a generous contribution to our cause.

See also: cast, upon, Waters

greatest thing since indoor plumbing and the greatest thing since sliced bread

Rur. the most wonderful invention or useful item in a long time. As far as I'm concerned, this new food processor is the greatest thing since indoor plumbing. Joe thinks Sally is the greatest thing since sliced bread. You can tell just by the way he looks at her.

See also: great, plumbing, since, thing

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: butter, know, side

Man does not live by bread alone.

Prov. In order to survive, people need more than physical things like food and shelter.; People need mental or spiritual things like satisfaction and love. (Biblical.) Alan: I'm so miserable. Jill: How can you be miserable? You've got a good place to live, plenty to eat, nice clothes.... Alan: But man does not live by bread alone.

See also: alone, does, live, man

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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, butter

bread and circuses

activities that are intended to keep people happy so that they do not complain about problems Tax cuts are just bread and circuses designed to distract attention from the underlying economic crisis.

See also: and, circus

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: butter, know, side

Man cannot live by bread alone.

something that you say which means people need things such as art, music and poetry as well as food, in order to live a happy life

Usage notes: This phrase comes from the Bible.

Our cultural heritage is important. Man cannot live by bread alone.

See also: alone, cannot, live, man

the best/greatest thing since sliced bread  (humorous)

if someone or something is described as the best thing since sliced bread, people think they are extremely good, often better than they really are Portable phones are marketed as the best thing since sliced bread, but to me they're just another expensive gadget. The way he goes on about her - you'd think she was the greatest thing since sliced bread.

See also: best, since, slice, thing

white-bread  (American)

white-bread people or things are ordinary and boring, and often those that are typical of white, American people (always before noun) It's a movie about middle America - white-bread characters living white-bread lives.

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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, butter

break bread (with somebody) (slightly formal)

to eat There were several chances for politicians and celebrities to meet and break bread with each other.

See also: break

the greatest thing since sliced bread also the best thing since sliced bread

wonderful My kids think their new puppy is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

See also: great, since, slice, thing