How Do You Spell HAND TO MOUTH?

Pronunciation: [hˈand tə mˈa͡ʊθ] (IPA)

"Hand to mouth" is a colloquial English phrase used to describe living paycheck to paycheck or having a precarious financial situation. The word "hand" is spelled /hænd/ and "mouth" is spelled /maʊθ/ using the International Phonetic Alphabet. The spelling of this phrase reflects the literal action of putting one's hand to their mouth to eat or drink, emphasizing the idea of barely scraping by and having to rely on immediate needs rather than planning for the future.

HAND TO MOUTH Meaning and Definition

1. The phrase "hand to mouth" is an idiomatic expression that is used to describe a person's lifestyle or situation where they live in a state of constant financial instability or dependence on immediate income to support basic needs. It refers to a way of living without any financial surplus or savings, in which one's income only covers essential expenses, leaving no room for savings or investments.

   A hand-to-mouth existence implies an individual's inability to plan for the future or cope with unforeseen circumstances due to the continuous struggle to meet immediate needs. It suggests a precarious financial condition characterized by a lack of financial security or stability. People living hand to mouth often find themselves in a vulnerable position, as they are left susceptible to unexpected expenses or emergencies that may further exacerbate their hardships.

   In a broader sense, the term can also apply to a nation or society that faces economic challenges, where income levels are insufficient to meet the growing needs of the population. In this context, it highlights a country's struggle to sustain its citizens with limited resources or inadequate economic policies.

   Overall, "hand to mouth" signifies a state of financial hardship, where one's income is only enough to cover immediate necessities, conveying the absence of financial stability and the inability to plan for the future.

Idioms with the word HAND TO MOUTH

• hand to mouth, from The idiom "hand to mouth, from" means living from one paycheck or source of income to the next, without being able to save or plan for the future. It implies a continuous struggle to make ends meet and provide for basic needs.
• live hand to mouth Living hand to mouth means barely having enough money to cover basic expenses such as food and shelter, without any surplus or savings. It refers to a situation where a person's income is just enough to meet their immediate needs, leaving nothing for savings or any unexpected expenses.
• live (from) hand to mouth The idiom "live (from) hand to mouth" means to have just enough money to pay for basic necessities like food and shelter, with little or nothing left over for savings or extras.
• from hand to mouth Living in a state of poverty or scarcity, where one is only able to meet basic, immediate needs such as food and shelter without being able to save or plan for the future.
• hand to mouth The idiom "hand to mouth" refers to living in poverty or barely having enough resources to meet basic needs. It can also refer to living in a way that involves spending money as soon as it is earned, without saving or planning for the future.

Similar spelling word for HAND TO MOUTH

• handsome.