Meaning of on the breadline | Babel Free

Definitions

In a situation of extreme poverty; relying on food donations or having only enough to survive.

idiomatic

Equivalents

Examples

“She wasn't on the breadline exactly, but she didn't have⟳ an awful lot of spare⟳ cash to throw⟳ around, and she always, always lived within her means.”

“This life continuously trapped on the breadline was not what I wanted, not forever.”

“He was wearing a grubby white shirt, jeans and scuffed black slip-on shoes. Anyone would think⟳ he was on the breadline too.”

“With capital of about £16,000 I wasn't exactly on the breadline.”

“There were times where money was tight and we probably were on the breadline, but I still never really wanted for anything.”

“Britain survived on the breadline.”

“It is ridiculous to put⟳ our own⟳ people on the breadline by reducing their spending power by an enormous sum to save⟳ very much less in overseas funds.”

“The alternative argument states that, for people living on the breadline where every penny counts, the loss of a job may be the last⟳ straw factor.”

CEFR level