Bread and butter
(PW) basic needs of life (food, shelter, clothing)
The voters are worried about bread and butter issues like jobs and taxes.
(MW) : a means of sustenance or livelihood
(free)
n.
1. Means of support; livelihood.
2. The essential sustaining element or elements; the mainstay
"As ever, politics, vulgarity and sentimentality were the bread and butter of the Academy Awards" (David Ansen).
Informal, n
1. a means of support or subsistence; livelihood the inheritance was their bread and butter (modifier)
bread-and-butter
a. providing a basic means of subsistence a bread-and-butter job
b. solid, reliable, or practical a bread-and-butter player
c. expressing gratitude, as for hospitality (esp in the phrase bread-and-butter letter)
(usingEnglish)
Bread and butter issues are ones that affect people directly and in a very important way.
(phraserFinder)
BREAD AND BUTTER - One meaning of this phrase is one's livelihood - how you get money (bread) to pay the rent ("keep a roof over your head) and buy food and send the kids to college. The use of the phrase in this manner is: "to quarrel with one's bread and butter - To complain about one's means of livelihoood, to act against one's best interests.our English phrase for expressing such lack of reason dates back not more than two centuries." From "Heavens to Betsy" by Charles Earle Funk (Harper & Row, New York, 1955).
: : : There's another use of the phrase regarding etiquette but I'm not sure about this one. I believe "bread and butter notes" are thank you cards or letters. Can anyone confirm that?
: : Yes indeed, certainly here in Britain! It's usually known as a 'bread and butter letter'.
: Yes in the US too. Thank you cards and notes that you are obliged to send... like a note to follow an interview.
: We have "bread and butter" plays in football. They are generally designed for "short yardage, go for it or else" situations. It is something that we practice and are very good at.
