bring home the bacon

B

bring home the bacon

Meaning

• to go out and earn a living or earn money for the family
• to be successful or get an accomplishment
• to return home with a reward at the end of the day
• to achieve something you had set out to achieve

Example Sentences

1. As the head of the family, he ensures that he brings home the bacon.
2. The lady next door keeps nagging her husband because she brings home the bacon.
3. The little girl works so hard. She practically brings home the bacon in her family.
4. Mrs Clarke urged her son to go look for a job so that he can bring home the bacon.
5. Every woman wants to be married to a man that can bring home the bacon.

Origin

This expression originated in England as far back as the 10^th century. A couple in Great Dunmow, Essex, were so devoted to each other and the Prior (Mayor) of Great Dunmow was so impressed with them that he awarded them a flitch of bacon. This birthed a ceremony held every four years where couples show their devotion and win the prize of a flitch of bacon. So if you won, you got to bring home the bacon.

Animal, Food