the breadline
1
an informal threshold of income that marks the level at which a person or household is regarded as very poor or barely able to afford basic necessities
The idiom "the breadline" originated in the early 20th century during the Great Depression, which began in 1929 and lasted for several years. This phrase is used to describe the income level or economic threshold below which a person or family is considered to be living in poverty and experiencing financial hardship.
- Charities warned that cuts to benefits would push more seniors down onto the breadline.
- Economists argued that the official measure underestimated the number of households actually on the breadline.
- Policy proposals included a targeted tax credit for families hovering just above the breadline.
- Many single parents work full time yet still remain near the breadline because of high housing costs.
- Regional comparisons showed that the cost of living changed who was considered on the breadline from city to city.
2
a line of people waiting to receive free food or other emergency relief distributed by a charity, agency, or community group
- Volunteers handed out sandwiches to those standing in the breadline outside the community center.
- During the weeks after the factory closed, the breadline at the church grew longer each morning.
- Reporters photographed the breadline forming before dawn on the coldest day of the winter.
- The nonprofit set up a mobile kitchen to shorten wait times for the downtown breadline.
- He joined the breadline once when he fell behind on rent and needed a hot meal.