The term 'BRINGS HOME THE BACON' is an idiom that means to earn a living or to provide for one's family. It is derived from the proverb 'Bring home the BACON, ' which dates back to the 12th century and was originally used to refer to a man who was successful in providing for his family. The term has since evolved to mean any kind of success, financial or otherwise. The crossword solution for this term is BACON, which is a type of cured meat made from pork.