English

Verb

put food on the table

1. (idiomatic) To provide enough money to cover basic necessities.
   • 2009, ‘My Laid-off Life’, The Guardian, 15 Jun 09:

     I don't care what I do. If it pays the bills and puts food on the table, I'm not bothered.

   • 2005, Darwin Porter et al., Frommer's Italy 2005:

     The locals bemoan the tourist crush and at the same time welcome it because it puts food on the table.

   • 1996, Werner Peters, Society on the Run, p. 81:

     The middle class does not consider itself free form the concern of putting food on the table.

See also

• earn a living
• make a living
• make ends meet
• pay the bills
• pay the rent
• bring home the bacon