earned my bread

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earned my bread" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to making a living or earning money through work or effort. Example: "After years of hard work, I finally feel like I've earned my bread and can support my family comfortably."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He often said "I earned my bread by friendship".

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

I have earned my bread as a writer for nearly 20 years, which is not as long as I have been an avid long-distance cyclist.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

We're living here, this is what I'm earning my bread and butter from, so this is it, if you lose this, that's it.

The Guardian

From Beg's childless housekeeper, praying for a baby among plastic flowers and gold icons, to the prostitute punning on the last supper ("Take this body, it's how I earn my bread"), the book raises difficult sacred questions.

The Guardian - Books

One weekend, to supplement her income, "earn my daily bread", she set out across southern Arizona to cover a series of mine strikes at the Phelps Dodge copper mines.

The Guardian - Books

"As long as I was tying flies for the fishermen, which I started off doing to earn my daily bread, I kept doing it," she said in an interview with The Atlantic Salmon Fly.

The New York Times - Sports

… She's earned my respect".

Los Angeles Times

I know well that hard work doesn't set your spirit free – because in 1930, at the age of seven, I began earning my crust of bread as a beer-barrow boy.

The Guardian - Opinion

When my mother and he ended up in Los Angeles, in the late forties, he could not find a job — my mother earned their daily bread.

The New Yorker

Then, as now, most pollsters earned their bread and butter by conducting polls for businesses, surveying consumer preferences, and the like.

The New Yorker

Salo Flohr came up as a chess journalist in the 1920's and earned his bread by clobbering the big names in the game.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "earned my bread", consider the context and whether a more modern or specific term like "made a living" or "supported myself" would be more appropriate for your audience.

Common error

While "earned my bread" is understandable, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more contemporary phrases to prevent your writing from sounding antiquated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earned my bread" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating the means by which someone supports themselves financially. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. Examples show it conveying how someone makes a living through their efforts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "earned my bread" is a phrase used to describe how someone makes a living. While grammatically correct and understandable as Ludwig AI confirms, it may sound somewhat old-fashioned in modern contexts. More direct alternatives like "made a living" or "supported myself" may be more appropriate depending on the audience and situation. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources. To avoid overusing this idiom, consider varying your language and opting for clearer, more contemporary phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made a living

Focuses on the act of sustaining oneself through work; a more general term.

made ends meet

Highlights the struggle to cover basic expenses; implies financial difficulty.

put food on the table

Emphasizes the provision of sustenance for oneself or family.

supported myself

Focuses on self-reliance and financial independence.

provided for my family

Highlights the act of ensuring the well-being of one's family members.

worked for a wage

Highlights the simple act of getting paid to do a work/job.

gained my salary

Highlights the simple act of getting paid.

obtained income

Highlights the simple act of getting money.

secured my income

Highlights the simple act of assuring money.

brought home the bacon

Idiomatic expression for earning a living; slightly less formal.

FAQs

What does the expression "earned my bread" mean?

The expression "earned my bread" means to make a living or to earn money through one's work or efforts. It implies that the income is a result of labor and is used to sustain oneself or one's family.

What can I say instead of "earned my bread"?

You can use alternatives like "made a living", "supported myself", or "provided for my family" depending on the context.

Is "earned my bread" a formal or informal expression?

"Earned my bread" is somewhat informal and can sound old-fashioned. In formal contexts, it's better to use more direct alternatives like "made a living" or "secured my income".

How can I use "earned my bread" in a sentence?

You can use "earned my bread" in a sentence like this: "After years of hard work, I can finally say I've earned my bread and can support my family comfortably."