On the breadline

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Meaning

Barely scraping by, near broke.

Origin

From 20th-century America, tied to 1930s Depression; 'breadline' meant soup queues, slang by 1931 for broke. A 1932 'New York Times' uses it for poor.

Variants

  • Breadline

Usage Examples

  • He's on the breadline; barely eats.
  • On the breadline since the job went.
  • Breadline life; tough days.

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