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Phrase(s): bread and water
Fig. the most minimal meal possible; a meal as once was given to prisoners. (Usually used in reference to being in prison or jail.) • Wilbur knew that if he got in trouble again it would be at least a year on bread and water. • This dinner is terrible again. I would rather have bread and water! Why don’t we ever have pizza?
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs