for your supper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for your supper" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to food that is prepared or served for dinner. Example: "I made a delicious roast chicken for your supper tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Food

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

SING FOR YOUR SUPPER The networks that presented on Thursday, the final day of upfront week, apparently believed that media buyers needed to be stimulated by energetic music.

The New York Times

"Sing for your supper.

The New York Times

You can sing for your supper.

The Guardian - Travel

should not have to sing for your supper.

The New York Times

No crass singing for your supper cliches then?

The Guardian

The song made its original appearance in "Sing For Your Supper," a Federal Theatre Project.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

That would be David Droga, the creative chairman at Droga5, who developed the campaign in what he recalled in an interview was "very much a sing-for-your-supper way".

The New York Times

Keith Floyd What would you eat for your last supper?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Raymond Blanc What would you eat for your last supper?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What would you have for your last supper?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Name your three desert island must-have ingredients Parmigiano cheese, Manni extra-virgin olive oil, white truffle What would you have for your last supper?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for your supper" when you want to imply that someone needs to contribute or work in order to receive food or other necessities. It adds a folksy or traditional feel to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "for your supper" literally when simply referring to dinner. The phrase carries an implicit expectation of effort or contribution, so it's not appropriate in all dinner-related contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for your supper" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating the purpose or condition under which an action is performed. Ludwig suggests that the phrase implies an expectation of effort in exchange for sustenance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Travel

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Food

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for your supper" is a common and informal way to express the idea that something must be earned or worked for to be received. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, with most examples found in news, travel, and wiki contexts. While it carries a folksy connotation, its primary function is to convey an exchange of effort for sustenance or resources. Remember to use this idiom when you want to imply that something must be earned, and avoid using it when simply referring to dinner without any expectation of work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earn your dinner

Similar to the original phrase, but specifically focuses on earning dinner.

earn your keep

This phrase emphasizes earning one's sustenance or accommodation through work or service.

work for your meal

Highlights the act of working to obtain food.

pay your way

Focuses on covering one's own expenses, including food.

contribute to the meal

Emphasizes the act of contributing something to a shared meal.

deserve your food

Highlights the idea that one's food is earned or deserved.

sing for sustenance

A more literal take on providing entertainment in exchange for food.

barter for food

Focuses on exchanging goods or services directly for food.

trade for supper

Highlights trading something in exchange for supper.

earn a reward

A broader term indicating that supper is reward for services.

FAQs

What does the idiom "for your supper" mean?

The idiom "for your supper" means that you need to earn or work in order to get something, typically food or necessities. It implies an exchange of effort for sustenance.

How can I use "for your supper" in a sentence?

You can use "for your supper" to express that someone needs to contribute in order to receive something. For example, "The company expects you to "sing for your supper", meaning you need to prove your worth to get paid."

Are there any alternatives to saying "for your supper"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "earn your keep", "earn your dinner", or "work for your meal" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "for your supper" a formal or informal expression?

"For your supper" is generally considered an informal and somewhat folksy expression. It is more common in casual conversation or writing than in formal or professional contexts.