means of support
means of support — idiom
1. the money or resources that someone earns or relies on to cover the basic costs
the money or resources that someone earns or relies on to cover the basic costs of daily life, such as food, rent, and clothing
After the factory closed, Hamza lost his only means of support and sold the car.
lose [one's] means of support = lose [one's] income
The young widow had no means of support until the village offered her a teaching job.
no means of support = no way to earn a living
For many retired farmers, a small monthly pension is their main means of support.
Valentina worked two jobs because her tiny shop was not a steady means of support.
The court asked whether the children had any other means of support after their parents died.
- livelihood
more everyday word for the way someone earns a living
- source of income
neutral, plainer phrasing for the same idea
- breadwinner's wage
narrower; the earnings of the main earner specifically
用法筆記
Most common in formal or legal contexts, often paired with verbs like 'lose', 'have no', or 'provide'. The phrase points to how a person funds basic living costs, not to emotional or practical help.