"Lived from hand to mouth" is a popular idiom used to describe a financially precarious situation. The IPA phonetic transcription for this phrase is /lɪvd frəm hænd tu mɑθ/. The spelling of the word "lived" is straightforward, with the "e" pronounced as /ɪ/. "Hand" is pronounced with the short "a" sound /hænd/, while "mouth" is pronounced with the long "o" sound /mɑθ/. This idiom highlights the struggle of living paycheck to paycheck and the necessity to constantly rely on small amounts of income to survive.
The phrase "lived from hand to mouth" is an idiomatic expression typically used to describe a situation in which a person or group barely manages to support themselves financially, often with no surplus or savings to rely on. It conveys the notion of living in a precarious state, constantly in need of immediate resources to meet basic needs, such as food, shelter, and other essentials.
The term's origin lies in the idea that one's hand represents the immediate source of sustenance, while the mouth represents the immediate need to consume that sustenance. Instead of having a secure and stable income or provisions for the future, individuals or families who "live from hand to mouth" essentially survive on what they can acquire or earn for the present moment, without any long-term financial security.
Living from hand to mouth usually connotes a lack of stability or consistent means for survival. It suggests reliance on daily or weekly wages, sporadic work, or minimal income that barely covers one's immediate expenses. This lifestyle often leaves little room for saving, investing, or any form of financial planning. Those who live from hand to mouth may constantly face uncertainty and anxiety about their next meal or how they will pay their bills, making it difficult to break free from the cycle of poverty and financial instability.
Overall, "lived from hand to mouth" encapsulates the concept of subsisting with minimal means, constantly on the edge of financial hardship, and lacking the ability to build a secure future.