staff of life

idiom
UK: /ˌstɑːf əv ˈlaɪf/
US: /ˌstæf əv ˈlaɪf/

  1. A basic food, especially bread, that is needed to live.

    1. Bread is the staff of life for many people around the world.
    2. For centuries, rice has been the staff of life in many Asian countries because it can be easily stored.

  2. Something that is essential for survival or support.

    1. For many, family support is the real staff of life.
    2. During the economic crisis, government assistance became the staff of life for countless families in the region.

Synonyms

lifeblood sustenance

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "staff of life" in English means: A basic food, especially bread, that is needed to live., Something that is essential for survival or support..

The phonetic transcription of "staff of life" is /ˌstɑːf əv ˈlaɪf/ in British English and /ˌstæf əv ˈlaɪf/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "staff of life": lifeblood, sustenance.

Example usage of "staff of life": "Bread is the staff of life for many people around the world.". More examples on the page.