C1idiommoneyIELTS-friendly
on the breadline
USUK
very poor, with only just enough money to live
Mainly British; American English says 'at or below the poverty line'. Also 'just above the breadline'.
In context
Many young families are living on the breadline because rents keep rising.
After the factory closed, half the town was living on the breadline.
More idioms about money
- a cash cowa product or business that steadily makes a lot of money
- a false economya way of saving money that ends up costing more later
- a gold minea business or thing that makes a lot of money, or a rich source of something
- a golden handshakea large sum of money paid to someone when they leave a job
- a money pitsomething, often a house or car, that costs you much more money than it is worth