Dictionary
Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
put butter on one's bread en · VERB
Pronunciation
Meanings
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(idiomatic, informal) To earn money.
D'ye think those savages who've been putting butter on our bread are coming to trade with you or me if we are not ready to sell at a loss?
1947, Soviet Literature, page 8:"Well, it won't put butter on our bread," said another.
1933, Ishbel Ross, Marriage in Gotham, page 71:An author has the obligation of keeping himself alive, and it does not put any butter on his bread to get his books from the public library.
1934, America - Volume 50, page 282:This situation isn't putting any butter on our bread, either.
1998, Dana Stabenow, Killing Grounds, →ISBN, page 80:
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Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see put, butter, bread.
Forms