meal ticket

noun

1. a ticket that entitles the bearer to meals in a specified restaurant, especially when meals purchased in this manner are offered at reduced rates.
2. Informal. someone upon whom one is dependent for one's income or livelihood:

   selfish children who look upon their father only as a meal ticket.

3. Informal. something, as an object or ability possessed by a person, that is necessary to that person's livelihood:

   The radio announcer's voice was his meal ticket.

meal ticket

noun

1. slang.
   a person, situation, etc, providing a source of livelihood or income

Word History and Origins

Origin of meal ticket¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Word History and Origins

Origin of meal ticket¹

from original US sense of ticket entitling holder to a meal

Idioms and Phrases

A person or thing depended on as a source of income, as in Magic Johnson was a real meal ticket for his team , or Her interpersonal skills will be her meal ticket when she goes into sales . This metaphoric expression alludes to the earlier practice of handing out tickets that entitle their holder to a meal. [Early 1900s]

Example Sentences

A combination of good relationships, opportunity and Ireland being a minor meal ticket for famous pros on the downswing played a role in bringing one of the greats to the League of Ireland.

From BBC

I went back to law school on my way out of my first marriage because I needed a meal ticket.

From Scientific American

The young ones saw me as a meal ticket, and the older men saw me as their Lolita.

From Los Angeles Times

She needs trustworthy people around her who work for her and don’t see her as a meal ticket.

From Los Angeles Times

She encountered her promoter, King, sitting by himself after watching his meal ticket chomp his career into pieces.

From Washington Times