to bring home the bacon

Definition & Meaning of "bring home the bacon"in English

to bring home the bacon

to earn enough money to be able to pay for the necessities of life

Idiom

What is the origin of the idiom "bring home the bacon" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "bring home the bacon" can be traced back to the medieval English fairs and festivals. During these events, there was a custom of organizing a game where a greased pig would be released, and participants would try to catch it. The winner, who could catch the pig and "bring it home," would be rewarded with the prize. Today, this idiom is used to describe the act of earning a living, providing for one's family, or being the primary source of income in a household.

Examples

As the sole breadwinner, John works hard to bring home the bacon for his family.

During the tough times, he was still bringing home the bacon to keep the family afloat.

to achieve success, especially in a competitive or high-stakes situation

Idiom

Informal

What is the origin of the idiom "bring home the bacon" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "bring home the bacon" is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century. It likely comes from the idea of a successful hunter bringing home a pig as a prize, symbolizing their ability to provide for their family. Over time, the phrase became more widely used to describe any situation where someone had achieved their desired goal or succeeded in a particular endeavor. It is used to describe a wide range of accomplishments, from winning a competition to achieving a long-term goal.

Examples

The team brought home the bacon with a last-minute win.

They trained hard and finally brought home the bacon at the championship.