Bread And Butter Definition

brĕdn-bŭtər
noun
Means of support; livelihood.
American Heritage
The essential sustaining element or elements; the mainstay.
American Heritage

Used other than as an idiom: see bread,"Ž butter.

Wiktionary

(idiomatic) That which is central or fundamental, as to one's business, survival, or income; a staple or cornerstone.

They will do some machining if you ask them, but sheet metal has always been their bread and butter.
Wiktionary
adjective
Relating to subsistence or to the product, work, etc. basically relied on for earnings.
Webster's New World
Influenced by or undertaken out of necessity.
A bread-and-butter job.
American Heritage
Reliable, especially for producing income; basic.
Household appliances are the company's bread-and-butter goods.
American Heritage
Basic, commonplace, everyday, etc.
Webster's New World
Expressive of gratitude for hospitality.
A bread-and-butter note.
American Heritage
interjection
(archaic) A general saying used to ward off bad luck.
Wiktionary
(archaic) A saying specifically used to ward off bad luck when separating hands to walk either side of a tree.
Wiktionary

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