bring home the bacon

Register · Informal Informal — used in casual, everyday conversation among friends and family. Avoid in formal writing or professional settings. CEFR B2

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Figurative meaning

To earn the money that supports a household.

Why this phrase?

Possibly from country fairs where greased-pig winners kept the bacon.

Example

“She brings home the bacon while he raises the children.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

a rip-off Informal · CEFR B1

Something that is far too expensive for what it is.

bang for your buck Informal · CEFR B1

the value or impact you get for the money or effort spent

call it a day Informal · CEFR B1

To decide to stop working on something for now.

cost an arm and a leg Informal · CEFR B1

To be extremely expensive.

do the job Informal · CEFR B1

to be good enough to achieve the desired result

have your hands full Neutral · CEFR B1

To be very busy or fully occupied with responsibilities.

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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