hand-to-mouth
|hand-to-mouth|
B2
/ˈhænd tə ˈmaʊθ/
living with minimal resources
Etymology
Etymology Information
'hand-to-mouth' originates from the literal act of taking food from one's hand to one's mouth, symbolizing immediate consumption without saving.
Historical Evolution
The phrase 'hand-to-mouth' has been used since the 17th century to describe a precarious financial situation.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to the literal act of eating, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of living with minimal resources.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
living with barely enough resources to survive, often without savings or security.
Many families in the region live a hand-to-mouth existence.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:41