What does “Bring home the bacon” mean?
"Bring home the bacon" means to earn a living or provide for one's family.
What context can I use the in?
Example
After years of hard work, he finally brought home the bacon and bought his dream house.
Example
She works two jobs to bring home the bacon and support her children.
Example
His father always told him to work hard and bring home the bacon for his family
Is “Bring home the bacon” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Bring home the bacon” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Bring home the bacon” effectively in context?
You can use "Bring home the bacon" to refer to someone's ability to earn a living or provide for their family. It emphasizes the importance of financial responsibility and supporting loved ones. For example, if a friend gets a promotion at work, you might say, 'Congratulations! Now you can bring home the bacon and spoil your family.'
- 1Success
After years of hard work, she finally brought home the bacon and started her own successful business.
- 2Financial Responsibility
He works two jobs to bring home the bacon and save for his children's education.
- 3Family Support
Her father always told her to work hard and bring home the bacon for her siblings.
Similar phrases to “Bring home the bacon”:
Earn a living
To make money to support oneself or one's family
Example
She worked multiple jobs to earn a living and pay her bills.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Bring home the bacon” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Bring home the bacon" is believed to come from the medieval fairs in England. During these fairs, a popular game involved chasing a greased pig. The winner would get to take home the pig as a prize, which was considered a valuable source of food. Therefore, bringing home the bacon meant bringing home a prize or earning a living.
Is “Bring home the bacon” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "Bring home the bacon" is a commonly used idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to talk about earning a living or providing for their family. It is widely understood and recognized.
What tone does “Bring home the bacon” have?
"Bring home the bacon" conveys a tone of responsibility and accomplishment. It is often used to acknowledge someone's hard work and success in providing for themselves or their loved ones.
Can “Bring home the bacon” be used in informal and formal settings?
Yes, "bring home the bacon" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a versatile expression that conveys the idea of earning a living or supporting a family. You can use it in casual conversations with friends and family, as well as in more formal situations such as business meetings or professional discussions.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He worked hard to bring home the bacon and support his family.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to bring home the bacon!' to imply readiness to work hard and provide for oneself or others.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- provide for the family
- sustain a household
- bring in the dough
- keep the wolf from the door
- put bread on the table
Antonyms
- struggle financially
- depend on others
- live off someone else
- be a burden
- fail to provide
