BREADLINE Meaning and
Definition
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The term "breadline" refers to a line or queue of individuals waiting to receive free or subsidized food, particularly bread, due to their impoverished or desperate economic circumstances. The breadline concept originated during the Great Depression in the 1930s when widespread unemployment and economic hardship left many people unable to afford basic necessities like food.
In practical terms, a breadline usually involves people forming a line outside a soup kitchen, food bank, or other charitable organization that provides free or low-cost meals. The line typically stretches along the street or sidewalk, with individuals patiently waiting their turn to receive sustenance to meet their immediate hunger needs.
The breadline serves as a vivid representation of poverty and hunger in society. It emphasizes the precarious circumstances faced by those on the lower rungs of the socioeconomic ladder and reveals the extent of their reliance on external aid to secure something as fundamental as food.
The term "breadline" can also be used more metaphorically to describe the social and economic conditions that lead to widespread poverty and inequality within a particular region or era. It signifies a profound division between the haves and the have-nots, highlighting the struggles faced by those who exist on the margins of society and are faced with the constant uncertainty of meeting their basic survival needs.
Common Misspellings for BREADLINE
Etymology of BREADLINE
The word "breadline" originated in the United States around the late 19th century. It combines the words "bread" and "line", demonstrating the concept of people standing in line to receive food, specifically bread, during times of poverty and economic hardship.
During the Great Depression in the 1930s, the term gained widespread popularity as it became a common sight to witness long queues of people waiting in line at soup kitchens and other places that offered free or subsidized food. These lines often distributed bread as a staple source of sustenance, hence the term "breadline".
The term has since been used metaphorically to refer to a situation or state where individuals or families face severe financial constraints and struggle to afford basic necessities.
Idioms with the word BREADLINE
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be/live on the breadline
The idiom "be/live on the breadline" refers to living in extreme poverty, with only enough money to buy the basic necessities for survival, specifically food. It means to be in a financial situation where one's income just covers their essential needs, leaving very little or no room for discretionary spending or savings. The term "breadline" historically referred to the queue of people waiting for free or heavily discounted bread during times of economic hardship.
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below the breadline
The idiom "below the breadline" typically refers to a state of extreme poverty or financial hardship. It describes a situation where individuals or families struggle to meet their basic needs and live below the poverty line, especially in terms of being able to afford essentials like food, shelter, and clothing.
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on the breadline
The idiom "on the breadline" means to be living in poverty or experiencing extreme financial hardship. It usually refers to a situation where one's income or resources are barely enough to afford the basic necessities of life, especially food.
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be on the breadline
The idiom "be on the breadline" means to be living in a state of poverty or extreme financial hardship, typically struggling to meet even basic needs such as buying food or paying bills.
Similar spelling words for BREADLINE
- bridle at,
- Breedlove,
- bridle path,
- broadly,
- broadleaf,
- bridle road,
- Bradly,
- breitling,
- bread line,
- bridle up,
- bridle,
- bradley.
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