bread and butter operations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bread and butter operations" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the essential or fundamental activities that sustain a business or organization. Example: "The company's bread and butter operations include manufacturing and distribution, which generate the majority of its revenue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Deutsche's core business, their day-to-day bread-and-butter operations, have been affected".

The New York Times

The corporation is trying to do too much and, as a result, its bread-and-butter operations are in danger of going stale".

The New York Times

But at the same time, Mr. Boyd pointed out, "spending on some of the bread-and-butter operations of government came to a virtual standstill" as corrections spending grew by only 1 percent, spending on government administration grew by less than half a percent, and spending on parks and recreation fell by 4.6 percent.

The New York Times

Why has Amazon invested a huge amount of time and effort into a smartphone, potentially distracting their engineers from the bread and butter daily operations of the business?

Forbes

Dell's fledgling computer services division, our subject a year ago, continues to grow, but gains in that business have been offset by woes in the company's bread-and-butter personal computer operation.

Forbes

Although Santa Fe has some land-based drilling operations, the bread-and-butter for both companies is offshore drilling, and more recently, the expensive and technologically complex realm of deepwater exploration.

The New York Times

Hunting remains the bread and butter of wildlife operations, especially in non-prime areas and in times of global or national crisis when tourists stop traveling but hunters do not.

Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice

These bread-and-butter effects are everywhere.

The New Yorker

And good bread-and-butter pudding too.

The New York Times - Food

Visual puns are his bread-and-butter.

The Guardian

"We're their bread-and-butter".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a company's foundational activities, use "bread and butter operations" to emphasize their consistent importance. For example, "Customer service remains our bread and butter operations, ensuring long-term client retention".

Common error

Avoid using "bread and butter operations" to describe innovative or experimental projects; reserve it for core, established functions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bread and butter operations" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It identifies the core, essential activities that sustain a business or organization. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bread and butter operations" is a common and correct way to describe the core, essential activities of a business or organization. Ludwig AI confirms that it is widely used across various contexts, from news and media to academia and business. While alternatives like "core business activities" or "primary functions" exist, "bread and butter operations" offers a more idiomatic and relatable way to convey the idea of fundamental activities that sustain an entity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

core business activities

Focuses specifically on the activities central to the business's revenue and function.

primary functions

Emphasizes the main functions or tasks that are essential for operation.

essential services

Highlights the services that are indispensable for maintaining operations.

fundamental operations

Stresses the basic and necessary processes for the business to run.

basic operational activities

Highlights the most basic business activities.

key operational areas

Focuses on the most important fields for the operations.

revenue-generating activities

Emphasizes the activities that directly contribute to income.

mainstream operations

Highlights the most common and widely accepted operations.

vital processes

Focuses on the processes that are crucial for the company.

principal undertakings

Highlights the major or most important projects or activities.

FAQs

How can I use "bread and butter operations" in a sentence?

You can use "bread and butter operations" to refer to the core, essential activities of a business or organization. For example, "While the company is expanding into new markets, its "core business activities" remain its priority".

What's a good alternative to "bread and butter operations"?

Alternatives include "primary functions", "essential services", or "fundamental operations", depending on the specific context.

Is "bread and butter operations" formal or informal?

"Bread and butter operations" is generally considered a neutral term, suitable for both professional and informal contexts, although more formal settings may prefer "core business activities".

What does "bread and butter operations" mean?

"Bread and butter operations" refers to the basic, essential activities that provide the main source of income or sustenance for a business or organization. It's similar to saying something is someone's "mainstream operations".