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to live (from) hand to mouth
01
to survive with only the bare minimum resources, often with no savings or financial security
What is the origin of the idiom "live hand to mouth" and when to use it?
The idiom "live hand to mouth" has its origins in the mid-16th century. The phrase describes a way of living in which a person's income is barely enough to cover their basic needs for food and shelter, leaving no surplus for savings or other expenses. It is used to describe a lifestyle or financial situation where someone's income is just enough to meet immediate needs, leaving no room for savings or investment.
Example
The struggling artist lived hand to mouth, earning just enough from occasional sales of his artwork to cover his basic expenses.
After losing his job, he lived hand to mouth, struggling to pay rent and buy enough food to eat.
With the high cost of living in the city, even with a full-time job, she found herself living hand to mouth.
Despite working long hours, the single mother lived hand to mouth, barely making ends meet for her and her children.
Many people in impoverished regions live hand to mouth, relying on daily wages to survive.
