bread

Phrases

the best (or greatest) thing since sliced bread

informal used to emphasize one’s enthusiasm about a new idea, person, or thing:they think that she is the greatest thing since sliced bread

bread and circuses

a diet of entertainment or political policies on which the masses are fed to keep them happy and docile.

[translating Latin panem et circenses (Juvenal's Satires, x.80)]

bread and water

a frugal diet that is eaten in poverty, chosen in abstinence, or given as a punishment.

bread and wine

the consecrated elements used in the celebration of the Eucharist; the sacrament of the Eucharist.

the bread of life

something regarded as a source of spiritual nourishment:the Roman Catholic Church and faith were the bread of life to the subordinate classes

break bread

celebrate the Eucharist.

literary share a meal with someone.

cast one's bread upon the waters

do good without expecting gratitude or reward.

[with biblical allusion to Eccles. 11:1]

daily bread

the money or food that one needs in order to live:she earned her daily bread by working long hours

know which side one's bread is buttered (on)

informal know where one’s advantage lies.

one cannot live by bread alone

people have spiritual as well as physical needs.

[with biblical allusion to Deut. 8:3, Matt. 4:4]

take the bread out of (or from) people's mouths

deprive people of their livings by competition or unfair working practices.

want one's bread buttered on both sides

informal want more than is practicable or than is reasonable to expect.