"Live hand to mouth" is an idiomatic expression used to describe an individual or a group of people who are living in a constant state of financial insecurity, with barely enough income or resources to sustain their basic necessities. The term implies that people in this situation have no savings or surplus funds to rely on; instead, they rely solely on what they earn from day-to-day, without any ability to plan or prepare for future expenses or emergencies.
The phrase "live hand to mouth" originates from the literal action of feeding oneself by hand to mouth, where each hand-to-mouth movement is an immediate and necessary sustenance. The term typically refers to those who barely make enough money to cover their essential expenses such as food, shelter, and clothing, leaving them unable to save for long-term goals, unexpected expenses, or financial stability.
People living hand to mouth often face significant challenges in breaking the cycle of financial insecurity, as they lack the financial means to invest, save, or accumulate assets that could alleviate their precarious situation. This term can be applied to individuals, households, or even entire communities facing economic hardship.
It is important to note that living hand to mouth is not solely restricted to individuals with low incomes, as it can also apply to individuals with higher incomes who have a high cost of living or excessive debt, leaving them with barely enough funds to cover their immediate expenses.
