Grammar fix
put food on the table
provide household basics
To earn enough money to provide food and other basic needs for your household.
How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
She works two jobs to put food on the table for her children.
My dad drove a taxi at night for years just to put food on the table, so I know how hard he worked for us.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: My dad worked two jobs to bring food to the table.
Say: My dad worked two jobs to put food on the table.
The fixed idiom is 'put food on the table', not 'bring' or 'take' it.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Have enough money to live on
What it stressesYour incomeFamily basics
make a livingThe usual, everyday way to say how someone earns their money: 'She makes a living as a tutor'. 'Earn a living' means the same and is a touch more formal; 'put food on the table' stresses just getting by for a family.earn a livingEarning enough through work to support yourself.
put food on the tableYou're here · Earning money to provide basic necessities for your household.