three hots and a cot

noun2

1. •
   (slang) Basic food and shelter.

   • The voluntary prisoner in search of "three hots and a cot" is a persistent figure in American popular culture. — 2009
2. •
   (slang) Prison.

   • “I've never been to jail before,” [Neal] said. “But there is a bright side: three hots and a cot at taxpayer expense.” — 1996