hand-to-mouth

[ hand-tuh-mouth ]

adjective

1. offering or providing the barest livelihood, sustenance, or support; meager; precarious:

   a hand-to-mouth existence.

hand-to-mouth

adjective

1. with barely enough money or food to satisfy immediate needs

   a hand-to-mouth existence

Word History and Origins

Origin of hand-to-mouth¹

First recorded in 1500–10

Example Sentences

"I think he needs to join the real world and see how everybody lives, because if you're living hand to mouth, I don't think he really understands," she said.

From BBC

“Living here is just hand to mouth because the income we do have goes to pay for the rice, food and my children’s school.”

From Seattle Times

"The club was running hand to mouth and had so many obstacles, but dad had a quiet resilience that justice would eventually prevail," added Julian.

From BBC

"Actors like myself are living hand to mouth trying to afford rent, trying to afford access to classes so they can be ready for an audition," says Louis.

From BBC

“It was like subsistence farming — we were living hand to mouth,” he said.

From Seattle Times