bring home the bacon

1. Earn a living, provide the necessities of life, as in Now that she had a job, Patricia could bring home the bacon .

2. Be successful, accomplish something of value, as in George went to Washington and brought home the bacon—he got the funding we needed . Although the earliest citation for this phrase in the Oxford English Dictionary dates from 1924, the term is widely believed to come from the much older game of catching a greased pig, a popular competition at country fairs in which the winner was awarded the pig.

Example Sentences

As a career politician, with more than 40 years in Congress, he continues to be reelected by “bringing home the bacon” to his constituents.

From Washington Post

As chairman of the Commerce Committee and second-ranking Democrat on Appropriations, he could bring home the bacon.

From Washington Post

They confirm that without Sally Michel there would have been no Milton Avery, and not just because she brought home the bacon for much of his artistic career.

From New York Times

Now that you can decode the package labels, you’re ready to bring home the bacon.

From Washington Post

Pork producers say that if the rules remain on the state’s books, Californians might soon be unable to afford to bring home the bacon — or ham or sausage.

From Washington Post