hand to mouth

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

'To live from hand to mouth,' is said of a person who spends his money as fast as he gets it, who earns just enough to live on from day to day.


In matter of learning many of us are fain to be day-laborers, and to live from hand to mouth, being not able to lay up anything.--Bishop Reynolds on the Passions, ch. 37.

I can get bread from hand to mouth, and make even at the year's end.--L'Estrange.

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