Idioms with the word money

Idioms about Money and Finance! The following article provides a useful list of idioms relating to Money and Finance in English with their meaning and examples.

List of 150+ Useful Money and Finance Idioms and Phrases in English

Take a beating

Meaning: suffer damage or hurt.
Example: A principle as old as ancient tribes and almost as remotely understood, diplomatic immunity is taking a beating this week.

Hit the jackpot

Meaning: to win a lot of money or have a big success
Example: The National Theatre hit the jackpot with its first musical, “Guys and Dolls”.

Put Your money where your mouth is

Meaning: take action to support one’s statements or opinions.
Example: You say you’re on the side of the workers; why don’t you put your money where your mouth is and support the strike?

Get a run for your money

Meaning: to give someone a run for their money
Example: He’ll give those professional players a run for their money.

On the money

Meaning: accurate; correct.
Example: The dollar has steadied after early losses on the money markets.

Bottom dollar

Meaning: last dollar
Example: He talks about it a lot, but I would bet my bottom dollar that he has never actually been there.

In the hole

Meaning: in debt.
Example: I was something like $16,000 in the hole already.

Beyond your means

Meaning: they are spending more money than they can afford.
Example: My family always lived beyond our means so my financial habits are not very good

Balance the books

Meaning: to make certain that the amount of money spent is not more than the amount of money received
Example: We had to take money from the savings account in order to balance the books.

Cost an arm and a leg

Meaning: be extremely expensive.
Example: I’d love to buy a Porsche, but they cost an arm and a leg.

Smart money

Meaning: money bet or invested by people with expert knowledge.
Example: The smart money is coming back into mortgages as the best investment now.

Make a killing

Meaning: to make a large profit quickly
Example: Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.

Ante up

Meaning: increase what is at stake or under discussion, especially in a conflict or dispute.
Example: Small firms that want to expand must ante up large legal fees.

Earn a living

Meaning: to earn the money needed for food, clothing, etc.
Example: The idea that one can earn a living away from the smoke, perhaps by tele-commuting, are popularised by journalists.

In kind

Meaning: in the same way; with something similar.
Example: After recent bombings, counter-terrorist forces could retaliate in kind.

Gravy train

Meaning: used to refer to a situation in which someone can make a lot of money for very little effort.
Example: Their gravy train ended when the government stopped funding the research project.

Shake them down

Meaning: use threats or search you physically in order to obtain something from you.
Example: People get pissed off when you shake them down.

Money is no object

Meaning: someone is not concerned about the price of things.
Example: Real Programmers never program COBOL, money is no object.

Hard up

Meaning: short of money.
Example: They’re not really as hard up as they say they are.

A light purse is a heavy curse

Meaning: Life is difficult when you don’t have much money.
Example: A light purse is a heavy curse.

Paycheck to paycheck

Meaning: all your money comes in and goes right back out again by the end of the month
Example: We are living paycheck to paycheck and have no money left over for savings.

Cash in your chips

Meaning: to sell something such as your investments, in order to raise money.
Example: Because his argument wasn’t convincing the committee, Tony decided to cash in his chips and go home.

Deadbeat

Meaning: an idle, feckless, or disreputable person.
Example: The new law is aimed at deadbeat landlords who owe $22 million.

Soft money

Meaning: contributions made outside the limits and prohibitions of federal law.
Example: Restrictions on soft money have been endorsed by Sen.

Cash-and-carry

Meaning: a store where businesses and other customers can pay cash for goods at low prices and take them away instead of having them delivered.
Example: Linked often enough, their various connections evoked images in the media of a conspiracy involving cash-and-carry favors.

Keep the wolf from the door

Meaning: have enough money to avert hunger or starvation (used hyperbolically).
Example: Their wages are barely enough to keep the wolf from the door.

Mint condition

Meaning: a state of being like new.
Example: Goods up for grabs include mint condition used kids clothes, books, toys and games, along with maternity clothes.

Cash cow

Meaning: a business, investment, or product that provides a steady income or profit.
Example: But the biggest cash cow is lower – undergraduate education.

Tidy sum of money

Meaning: a large number or amount or extent.
Example: My new house cost me a tidy sum of money.

Grease their palm

Meaning: bribe (someone).
Example: I greased the hostess’ palm to get a table without reservation.

Break the bank

Meaning: (in gambling) win more money than is held by the bank.
Example: Come on! One evening at the theatre won’t break the bank.

Pennies from heaven

Meaning: unexpected benefits, especially financial ones.
Example: You need more money but you can’t rely on pennies from heaven. You’ll just have to work harder.

Golden handshake

Meaning: a large sum of money given to an employee when they leave their job or given to persuade them to leave their job
Example: The directors will each get a large golden handshake and a pension.

Don’t take any wooden nickels

Meaning: Do not permit yourself to be cheated or duped; do not be naive.
Example: Pick up some flour and coffee while you’re in town and don’t take any wooden nickels.

Struggle to make ends meet

Meaning: to pay for the things that you need to live when you have little money.
Example: We had a hard time making ends meet.

Stinking rich

Meaning: extremely rich
Example: He’s stinking rich, and with no more talent than he ever had before.

Almighty dollar

Meaning: often used to satirize obsession with material wealth, or with capitalism in general.
Example: It wants to slowly dethrone the almighty dollar as the currency of choice in most global trade deals.

Not made of money

Meaning: someone does not have large amounts of money
Example: No you can’t have another bike – I’m not made of money!

Pony up

Meaning: to pay (a particular amount of money) for something
Example: All investors had to pony up a minimum of $5000.

A day late and a dollar short

Meaning: Too late and too feeble to achieve the desired effect
Example: As my mother used to say, Dash was a day late and a dollar short: Starr hadn’t cared about the lawfulness of his behavior for a long time.

In the red

Meaning: spending more money than you earn
Example: The temperature gauge on the Studebaker was back in the red, almost to 220 again.

Throw good money after bad

Meaning: To waste money in a fruitless attempt to recoup losses previously incurred
Example: That’s where you throw good money after bad, or as the government calls it, a stimulus package.

Have sticky fingers

Meaning: to be likely to steal
Example: The last person we hired in the shop turned out to have sticky fingers.

For peanuts

Meaning: a very small amount of money
Example: His discoveries included 300 uses for peanuts and 200 uses for sweet potatoes.

Buy someone off

Meaning: to give someone money so that person will help you or let you do something that is not legal
Example: They tried to buy the guard at the bank off but he told the police and the gang was arrested.

Heavy money

Meaning: A lot of money.
Example: Further down, he found a heavy money belt.

Caught short

Meaning: not having enough of something
Example: Mrs Hobbs was caught short when the newspaper boy came for his money a day early.

Live beyond your means

Meaning: to spend more money than you receive as income
Example: If that’s her only income, she appears to be living beyond her means.

Money talks

Meaning: wealth gives power and influence to those who possess it.
Example: Money talks, and poor working people are ignored.

A penny saved is a penny earned

Meaning: it is wise to save money
Example: A penny saved is a penny earned(or gained).

Blank check

Meaning: a signed cheque with the amount left for the payee to fill in
Example: The President was given a blank check by Congress to continue the war.

Get along on a shoestring

Meaning: you do it with a very small amount of money
Example: I wish I could go to your bachelorette party but I’m on a shoestring.

(To) nickel and dime

Meaning: greedily or unfairly charge (someone) many small amounts for minor services.
Example: The banks nickle and dime you to death with all the little fees they charge you.

Cut a check

Meaning: to write a check and give it to someone.
Example: When the damage assessor called, he cut a check for $139.

Break even

Meaning: reach a point in a business venture when the profits are equal to the costs.
Example: We’re hoping that we’ll at least break even, and perhaps make a small profit.

Pay the piper

Meaning: To pay a monetary or other debt or experience unfavorable consequences, especially when the payment or consequences are inevitable or a result of something one has enjoyed.
Example: At the end of the day, those who pay the piper must call the tune.

Have money to burn/burning a hole in your pocket

Meaning: you are very eager to spend it
Example: The day I got my allowance, I hurried down to the sporting goods store, the money burning a hole in my pocket.

Mad money

Meaning: A sum of money, often relatively small in amount, kept in reserve to use for impulsive, frivolous purposes
Example: Many speculator mad money during the decline of the stock market by fishing in troubled waters.

Keep our heads above water

Meaning: to just be able to manage, especially when you have financial difficulties
Example: I’m not sure how much longer we’ll be able to keep our heads above water.

Tighten your belt

Meaning: cut one’s expenditure; live more frugally.
Example: Clearly, if you are spending more than your income, you’ll need to tighten your belt.

Cook the books

Meaning: alter facts or figures dishonestly or illegally.
Example: Fudge the figures; cook the books; falsify the data.

Live from hand to mouth

Meaning: to have just enough money to live on and nothing extra
Example: These people live from hand to mouth on berries and roots.

Fork out/fork over

Meaning: to pay. to hand over or use up in payment
Example: I had to fork out for a cab home.

Shell out

Meaning: pay a specified amount of money, especially an amount that is resented as being excessive.
Example: If play improvements are only incremental, why shell out the cash to buy a 32-bit rig or an N64?

Chip in

Meaning: join or interrupt a conversation by making a remark.
Example: His grandfather would always chip in while we were talking.

Two sides of the same coin

Meaning: Two aspects of the same thing
Example: Snapshots and consumer imagery were fast becoming two sides of the same coin.

Penny pincher

Meaning: One who spends little money; one who is very frugal or cautious with money
Example: Tom is such penny pincher, and none likes to be with him.

Money grubber

Meaning: a person who cares too much about getting money
Example: They thought that doctors were lazy money-grubbers with time on their hands.

Rain check

Meaning: a ticket given for later use when a sporting fixture or other outdoor event is interrupted or postponed by rain.
Example: Mind if I take a rain check on that drink? I have to work late tonight.

Quick buck

Meaning: easily and quickly earned money
Example: The rule of the quick buck often clashes with the law of human dignity.

Fast buck

Meaning: easily and quickly earned money.
Example: I think people go out to make a fast buck without worrying about the consequences.

Spent a fortune

Meaning: an extremely large amount of money
Example: The estate already has spent a fortune litigating the matter.

Red cent

Meaning: the smallest amount of money.
Example: I wouldn’t give him one red cent for that car.

Dirt cheap

Meaning: extremely cheap.
Example: Such cheap goods obviously rely on dirt cheap labor.

Penny-wise and pound foolish

Meaning: Prudent and thrifty with small amounts of money, but wasteful with large amounts.
Example: If patient from examines blindly from the medicine, will often be penny-wise and pound foolish, will create inevitably “troublesome”.

Fool’s gold

Meaning: A mineral or other substance often mistaken for gold; mainly iron pyrite
Example: That investment seemed to be a good one, but I found out that it was fool’s gold when it crashed and burned.

Bet on the wrong horse

Meaning: Guess wrongly or misjudge a future outcome
Example: we obviously backed the wrong horse, or Counting on the price of IBM to rise sharply was betting on the wrong horse.

Worth its weight in gold

Meaning: emphasizing that they are so useful, helpful, or valuable that you feel you could not manage without them
Example: Your grandmother’s stories are worth their weight in gold

By check

Meaning: examine (something) in order to determine its accuracy, quality, or condition, or to detect the presence of something.
Example: Payment must be by check or money order.

Color of their money

Meaning: you are not prepared to sell them something or do something for them until they have proved that they have the money to pay for it.
Example: He never entered into conversation with a customer until he’d seen the colour of his money.

Float a loan

Meaning: to allow someone to borrow money from you
Example: I had to float a loan to pay for the medical expenses.

Breadwinner

Meaning: a person who earns money to support their family, typically the sole one.
Example: There’s another kind of breadwinner – women on their own with no regrets.

As poor as a church mouse

Meaning: Very poor, to the point of starving or begging; utterly destitute.
Example: Paul: I wish I had more money. I’m as poor as a church mouse.

Have the penny drop

Meaning: used to indicate that someone has finally realized something
Example: I was about to ask Jack who it was, when the penny suddenly dropped.

Pretty penny

Meaning: A considerable amount of money; a high price or a high income.
Example: Renovating that house will cost you a pretty penny.

From rags to riches

Meaning: used to describe a person’s rise from a state of extreme poverty to one of great wealth.
Example: These he is at pains to hide in order to promote the fiction of his rise from rags to riches.

Live within your means

Meaning: you have enough money to cover all expenses.
Example: Live within your means and save for a rainy day.

Dime a dozen

Meaning: very common and of no particular value
Example: Novels like this one are a dime a dozen: write something original!

Close-fisted

Meaning: to spend money
Example: Mr. Lee, a close-fisted man, never wants to donate anything for charity.

Chicken feed

Meaning: a ridiculously small sum of money.
Example: The sum was chicken feed, and the more governmental corruption that went on there, the better.

A fool and his money are soon parted

Meaning: a foolish person spends money carelessly and will soon be penniless.
Example: Mike likes living in style – but then a fool and his money are easily parted.

Feel the pinch

Meaning: experience hardship, especially financial.
Example: Local stores and businesses are beginning to feel the pinch from the economic crisis.

Monopoly money

Meaning: money regarded as having no real existence or value.
Example: In the romantically primed group, the men went wild with the Monopoly money.

I don’t have two nickels/pennies to rub together

Meaning: to have very little money.
Example: During college, when I didn’t have two pennies to rub together, I survived off of ramen noodles for months at a time.

Back on your feet

Meaning: to be healthy again after a period of illness
Example: I had a hard time getting back on my feet after I slipped on the ice.

Two cents

Meaning: an unsolicited opinion
Example: On the foreign exchanges the pound rose two cents against the dollar to $1.52.

Bang for your buck

Meaning: value for money.
Example: That restaurant is great, and the prices are very reasonable—you get a lot of bang for your buck.

Make a buck

Meaning: trying to earn some money
Example: The owners don’t want to overlook any opportunity to make a buck.

Get off scot-free

Meaning: to not get the punishment that is deserved
Example: When the offenders of the law get off scot-free and the undeserved get rewards, it goes without saying that the state is heading toward destruction.

He who pays the piper calls the tune

Meaning: the person who provides the money for something has the right to determine how it’s spent.
Example: At the end of the day, though, their company is paying for the study, and he who pays the piper calls the tune.

Lose money hand over fist

Meaning: you make or lose a lot of money very quickly
Example: Companies around the world are losing money hand over fist as oil prices continue to plummet.

Front money

Meaning: money that is paid in advance for a promised service or product.
Example: I put up a lot of front money and have nothing to show for it.

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure

Meaning: that something that one person considers to be of no value or useless may be valuable or useful to someone else.
Example: A: “I really don’t understand the appeal of Jackson Pollock paintings—they just look like splatters of paint to me!” B: “Eh, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

Take the money and run

Meaning: To accept or be satisfied with what one has earned, achieved, or accumulated in some activity, endeavor, or arrangement and refrain from trying to improve the terms.
Example: I knew it wasn’t the best contract I could possibly get, but it would be easy enough to do, so I decided to take the money and run.

Give someone a run for their money

Meaning: To challenge one’s ability, fortitude, or patience.
Example: Don’t underestimate our opponents today – I think they’ll give us a run for our money.

Squirrel away

Meaning: To hide, reserve, or hoard something for future use. A noun or pronoun can be used between “squirrel” and “away.”
Example: The mortgage traders offset the losses with profits they had squirreled away for a rainy day.

Easy money

Meaning: money obtained by dubious means or for little work
Example: Making easy money has always been an attractive proposition.

Pour money down the drain

Meaning: spoiled or wasted
Example: I don’t know why you pour money down the drain on such useless things.

Free and clear

Meaning: without owing any money
Example: After paying on it for five years, I finally own my car free and clear!

Take It to the bank

Meaning: Something or an event will most definitely, securely, without a doubt, guaranteed will happen.
Example: I heard from a very reliable source that this company is about to close – you can take it to the bank.

Pass the hat

Meaning: collect contributions of money from a number of people for a specific purpose.
Example: We’re going to pass the hat round later, buy some beer and go back to their place.

Down-and-out

Meaning: (of a person) without money, a job, or a place to live; destitute.
Example: A down-and-out writer sells his soul to the devil in exchange for fame and fortune.

Foot the bill

Meaning: pay the bill for something, typically when the amount is considered large or unreasonable.
Example: The program asks businesses to foot the bill for daily newspapers in the classroom.

Dime a dozen

Meaning: very common and of no particular value
Example: Metaphors of Britain’s decline have been a dime a dozen in the post-war years.

In for a penny, in for a pound

Meaning: used to say that a person should finish what he or she has started to do even though it may be difficult or expensive.
Example: We can’t turn in a half-finished report, so we need to stay up all night and get it done. In for a penny, as they say.

Kickback

Meaning: a sudden forceful recoil.
Example: Most focus on illegal kickbacks on public works contracts.

Dollar for dollar

Meaning: Considering the amount of money something costs and its value.
Example: The state promised to match the counties dollar for dollar to pay for services including medication, psychotherapy and residential care.

Put in your 2 cents

Meaning: to offer one’s opinion or suggestion on a particular matter, usually in a casual or informal setting
Example: If I may put my two cents in, that hat doesn’t do you any favors

Throw money around

Meaning: to spend money in a foolish or careless way.
Example: He lost his job, but still seems to have plenty of money to throw around.

Other side of the coin

Meaning: a different way of considering a situation, making it seem either better or worse than it did originally
Example: I’d love to go out with you tonight, but, on the other side of the coin, I could use some extra sleep too.

Pinch pennies

Meaning: be careful about how much one spends.
Example: We decided not to pinch pennies with our upcoming party.

Head over heels in debt

Meaning: Having amassed a large amount of debt.
Example: After I graduated from law school, I found myself head over heels in debt.

Going rate

Meaning: The current standard or usual price, rate, or salary for something
Example: The going rate for freelance work is 5 an hour.

Stone broke

Meaning: entirely without money.
Example: The stone broke the surface of the water.

Nickel and dime

Meaning: greedily or unfairly charge (someone) many small amounts for minor services.
Example: The banks nickle and dime you to death with all the little fees they charge you.

Cash in

Meaning: take advantage of or exploit a situation.
Example: Investors were storing up a lot of cash in anticipation of disaster.

Turn up like a bad penny

Meaning: to appear again in a place where you are not welcome or wanted.
Example: I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of your conniving cousin – he always manages to turn up like a bad penny.

Flat broke

Meaning: not having any money at all
Example: Mary recalls how they were flat broke and almost living hand to mouth.

At the drop of a dime

Meaning: they will do it instantly, without hesitation.
Example: You speak as if you have such talented people at the drop of a dime.

Control the purse strings

Meaning: to make the decisions about how money is spent.
Example: Women control the purse strings of most families.

Go broke/go bust

Meaning: to spend or lose all of one’s money
Example: The company’s about to go broke, or The producer of that movie went bust.

Worth your salt

Meaning: good or competent at the job or profession specified.
Example: Any coach worth his salt would do exactly as I did.

To take at face value

Meaning: to accept something as it appears to be rather than studying it more closely
Example: I took the offer at face value.

Not for love nor money

Meaning: it is impossible to get it or to persuade them to do it
Example: You can’t get hold of those tickets for love nor money these days.

Pass the buck

Meaning: shift the responsibility for something to someone else
Example: I don’t think I can trust Fred with demanding tasks. He’s always trying to pass the buck.

Clean up

Meaning: make someone or something clean or neat.
Example: We’ll go out as soon as I’ve cleaned up the kitchen.

At a premium

Meaning: above the usual or nominal price.
Example: Good student accommodation is at a premium.

Go dutch

Meaning: share the cost of something, especially a meal, equally.
Example: She always insists on going Dutch when they go out together.

Daylight robbery

Meaning: blatant and unfair overcharging.
Example: Three pounds for two sandwiches? It’s daylight robbery!

Pick up the tab/check

Meaning: to pay a bill (such as for a meal or drinks at a bar)
Example: The company picked up the entire tab for my trip.

As sound as a dollar

Meaning: Very secure and dependable
Example: They’re trying to convince me that this investment is as sound as a dollar, but I have my doubts.

You Can Take It to the Bank

Meaning: Something or an event will most definitely, securely, without a doubt, guaranteed will happen.
Example: I heard from a very reliable source that this company is about to close – you can take it to the bank.

Cheapskate

Meaning: a person who is unwilling to spend money
Example: Don’t be such a cheapskate – it’s your turn to buy lunch.

Crunch the Numbers

Meaning: to process numbers
Example: Professors Wilkinson and Pickett crunch the numbers and show that the same relationship holds true for a range of social problems.

Big bucks

Meaning: large amounts of money.
Example: Sports stars earn big bucks for pushing everything from shoes to soft drinks.

Cash in on

Meaning: take advantage of or exploit a situation.
Example: The record company was trying to cash in on her fame by releasing early teenage recordings.

Jack up the price

Meaning: To raise, increase, or accelerate; often said of prices, fees, or rates.
Example: Companies bid low to get the first contract, assuming they can jack up the price later.

Square accounts

Meaning: to make certain that you have paid and received all the money that you owed or that others owed you
Example: I should manage to square accounts with bank before the end of this month.

Heads or tales

Meaning: this side or that side. often used in plural in tossing a coin to decide a choice, question, or stake
Example: Heads or tails refers to the two sides of a coin

Bread and butter

Meaning: a person’s livelihood or main source of income.
Example: The mobile phone business was actually his bread and butter.

Strike gold

Meaning: discover gold during the course of drilling or mining.
Example: She is the favourite to strike gold in the 400 metres hurdles.

Pay top dollar

Meaning: to pay a lot of money for something
Example: People will always pay top dollar for something exclusive.

Pay your own way

Meaning: to pay for yourself rather than allowing someone else to pay. Paying money
Example: I appreciate the offer to help with my tuition, but I can pay my own way!

Cut off

Meaning: remove something using a sharp implement.
Example: There is always something to be cut off young trees if they are to grow well.

Strike it rich

Meaning: acquire a great deal of money, typically in a sudden or unexpected way.
Example: Small companies strike it rich by going public on the stock exchange.

Get Your money’s worth

Meaning: to receive good value for something you have paid for
Example: We certainly didn’t get our money’s worth out of that toy – it broke in a day!

Take them to the cleaners

Meaning: take all someone’s money or possessions in a dishonest or unfair way.
Example: The con man made a living taking people to the cleaners with his scams.

Pay a king’s ransom/pay an arm and a leg

Meaning: a lot of money
Example: These shoes cost me an arm and a leg.

Ill-gotten gains

Meaning: things that someone has obtained in a dishonest or illegal way.
Example: Her husband’s in the mob, so I bet her jewelry’s all ill-gotten gains.

Pay through the nose

Meaning: pay much more than a fair price.
Example: You can get pretty good meals on airplanes these days, but you’re going to pay through the nose.

As phony as a $3 bill

Meaning: Extremely phony; fake; dishonest; completely bogus.
Example: The course claims to teach you how to get rich in a hurry, but I can tell it’s as phony as a three-dollar bill.

Rake in the money

Meaning: to earn or get a large amount of money
Example: And don’t they rake in the money too?

Sock away

Meaning: to put away (money) as savings or investment.
Example: Don’t just sock away this money under your mattress; put it in a high-interest online savings account, a certificate of deposit or a money market account.

Take up a collection

Meaning: To request and receive money or goods of value from members of a group, especially for a charitable purpose.
Example: Freeman wants the churches, temples and mosques in the county to take up a collection Sunday for the bank.

Money is the root of all evil

Meaning: avarice gives rise to selfish or wicked actions.
Example: The promise of wealth is what eventually led him to murder his own brother.

In the black

Meaning: it contains some money
Example: The man in the black overcoat shot a penetrating look at the other man.

Out-of-pocket expenses

Meaning: having lost money in a transaction.
Example: when operating a vehicle, gasoline, parking fees and tolls are considered out-of-pocket expenses for a trip.

Burn a hole in your pocket

Meaning: (of money) tempt someone to spend it quickly and extravagantly.
Example: The day I got my allowance, I hurried down to the sporting goods store, the money burning a hole in my pocket.

Strapped for cash

Meaning: not having enough money
Example: Corporate owners often find themselves strapped for cash to pay taxes.

Throw money at

Meaning: try to solve (a problem) by recklessly spending money on it, without due consideration of what is required.
Example: The Australian government’s answer to the problem has been to throw money at it.

Cut your losses

Meaning: abandon an enterprise or course of action that is clearly going to be unprofitable or unsuccessful before one suffers more loss or harm.
Example: Usually the wisest thing to do is to cut your losses early on.

Nest egg

Meaning: a sum of money saved for the future.
Example: They have a little nest egg tucked away somewhere for a rainy day.

Make ends meet

Meaning: earn just enough money to live on.
Example: I find it impossible to make ends meet on my small salary.

All that glitters is not gold

Meaning: the attractive external appearance of something is not a reliable indication of its true nature.
Example: I don’t know if that necklace from the flea market will have the resale value you’re anticipating. All that glitters is not gold, you know.

Spend a penny

Meaning: used euphemistically to refer to a need to urinate.
Example: My father said not to spend a penny more than I need.

Below par

Meaning: worse than is usual or expected.
Example: Teaching in some subjects has been well below par.

Cold hard cash

Meaning: Money, regarded as an incentive that can override any doubts or ethical concerns.
Example: An increasing number of brides and grooms want cold hard cash as presents, wedding – industry insiders say.

Hush money

Meaning: money paid to someone to prevent them from disclosing embarrassing or discreditable information.
Example: The crooks paid Fred hush money to keep their whereabouts secret.

Cut-rate

Meaning: offering goods at reduced prices.
Example: The bulk of its revenues comes from selling cut-rate subscriptions to first-time subscribers.

Up the ante

Meaning: increase what is at stake or under discussion, especially in a conflict or dispute.
Example: The owners are constantly carping about runaway salaries, then fall over themselves to jump the gun and up the ante.

Cost a pretty penny

Meaning: to be very expensive
Example: That house must have cost a pretty penny.

Rolling in money

Meaning: be very rich.
Example: He’s rolling in money! Well, he’s got a lot more than me, anyway.

Money doesn’t grow on trees

Meaning: saying. said to warn someone to be careful how much money they spend, because there is only a limited amount
Example: I can’t believe you would spend your entire allowance on a silly video game. Money doesn’t grow on trees, you know!

Dollars for doughnuts

Meaning: something is very likely or almost certain to happen. It implies that one would be willing to bet real money (dollars) on something that seems very probable or predictable, even if the potential payout is small (doughnuts).
Example: Dollars to donuts it rains tomorrow!

On the house

Meaning: (of a drink or meal in a bar or restaurant) at the management’s expense; free.
Example: I’m so sorry that you have had such an unenjoyable evening. Please accept this bottle of wine on the house as an apology.

Feel like a million dollars/bucks

Meaning: to look or feel extremely good, often because you are wearing something that costs a lot of money
Example: You look like a million dollars in that dress, honey!

Time is money

Meaning: time is a valuable resource, therefore it’s better to do things as quickly as possible.
Example: It is often said that time is money, but it is seen as cost and not value.

Sitting on a goldmine

Meaning: to own something very valuable, especially without realizing it
Example: With this new invention, we’re sitting on a goldmine.

It’s a steal

Meaning: it’s a bargain – so cheap that it’s almost as if you haven’t paid anything for it.
Example: This designer dress was a steal—you wouldn’t believe how little I paid for it.

Banner Year

Meaning: An especially good year; a year of exceptional production.
Example: Realtors are pinning their hopes for another banner year on low mortgage rates.

Have the midas touch

Meaning: financially successful in everything they do
Example: Many people think it would be nice to have the Midas touch.

Nest Egg

Meaning: a sum of money saved for the future.
Example: They have a little nest egg tucked away somewhere for a rainy day.

Pay up

Meaning: pay a debt in full.
Example: They are willing to pay up to $500 more for cars that get better mileage.

Cash in the barrelhead

Meaning: Money in the form of paper currency or coins, paid immediately at the time and place of a transaction
Example: I’ll give you $50 for that bike, cash on the barrelhead.

Bring home the bacon

Meaning: supply material support.
Example: Earn a living, provide the necessities of life, as in Now that she had a job, Patricia could bring home the bacon.

Loaded

Meaning: weighted or biased towards a particular outcome.
Example: The poor woman was loaded down with family responsibilities.

Play the market

Meaning: to actively buy and sell stocks in the hope of making a profit
Example: Investors are currently reluctant to play the market.

Make an honest buck

Meaning: someone who makes money in an honest, legal way
Example: After 10 years working for the mob, Jeremy was ready to finally start making an honest buck.

At all costs

Meaning: regardless of the price to be paid or the effort needed.
Example: Please, save my husband at all costs—I can’t live without him!

Penny for your thoughts

Meaning: used to ask someone what they are thinking about.
Example: You’ve been awfully quiet tonight, honey – a penny for your thoughts?

Bet your bottom dollar

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Говорят, что бедность не порок, но бедный словарный запас английского языка препятствует нормальному общению. Именно поэтому сегодня мы решили положить в вашу копилку знаний несколько ценных выражений. Идиомы о деньгах на английском языке пригодятся тем, кто хочет говорить естественно и понимать носителей языка.

Значение идиомы:

Так говорят в случае, когда за что-то приходится платить слишком высокую цену.

История идиомы:

Это выражение уходит корнями в прошлое. Так, в IX-X вв. викинги ввели в Ирландии непосильный налог: каждый человек должен был платить унцию золота. Естественно, не все могли собрать такую огромную сумму. Викинги очень жестко правили в Ирландии, поэтому человеку, не сумевшему оплатить налог, отрезали нос. С тех пор выражение pay through the nose и вошло в употребление. Хорошо, что нынешние «налоговики» не пользуются наработками своих предков-коллег.

Пример употребления:

I paid through the nose for this dress, but it looks fantastic!
Я дорого заплатила за это платье, но оно выглядит фантастически!

Значение идиомы:

Таким выражением характеризуют транжиру, человека, у которого деньги не задерживаются в кошельке надолго

История идиомы:

Конечно, никакие деньги не горели в прямом смысле в карманах у людей. Однако есть теория, что происхождение идиомы связано с выражением hot money, которое обозначало «деньги, которые быстро тратятся». Когда человек берет в руки что-то горячее, оно обжигает кожу. Естественно, от горячего предмета хочется побыстрее избавиться, поэтому и деньги, которые человек быстро тратит, назвали «горячими». Впоследствии появилось выражение «деньги прожигают дыру в кармане». Почему не в кошельке? Обычно карманы одежды шьются из тонкой непрочной ткани, поэтому вполне логично, что «горячие деньги» прожигают там дыру.

Пример употребления:

Louise goes shopping every day. Money burns a hole in her pocket, she can’t save anything.
Луиза ходит за покупками каждый день. Деньги жгут ей руки, она не может сберечь ни копейки.

Значение идиомы:

Это выражение используют, когда человек задолжал денег (обычно банку). Также с помощью идиомы характеризуют предприятие, работающее в убыток. У этого выражения есть и антоним — to be in the black. Им характеризуют платежеспособное финансовое состояние, то есть у человека или фирмы нет долгов.

История идиомы:

Выражение пришло к нам из бухгалтерии. В «докомпьютерную эру» бухгалтеры вели целые книги и записывали все доходы черными чернилами, а убытки — красными. Таким образом, те, у кого было много расходов или кредитов, имели много записей красного цвета — «были в красном». Кстати, сегодня убытки в отчетности, а также задолженность на банковском счете тоже иногда отражаются красным цветом.

Пример употребления:

I am in the red, I owe money to the bank.
Я в долгах как в шелках, я должен денег банку.

А теперь мы хотим привести вам еще 7 идиом о деньгах, наиболее часто используемых в современной разговорной английской речи.

Идиома	Перевод	Пример употребления
To save for a rainy day	Отложить на черный день	She has saved some money for a rainy day. Она отложила немного денег на черный день.
Money to burn	Много денег, денег куры не клюют	After she bought a house, she still had money to burn. После того как она купила дом, у нее еще осталось много денег.
For peanuts	Практически даром, за небольшую сумму денег	She has very little money, so she’s willing to work for peanuts. У нее совсем мало денег, так что она согласна работать практически даром.
Throw money around	Бросаться деньгами, бездумно тратить деньги	Frank has bought a new mobile phone again. He throws money around! Фрэнк снова купил новый мобильный. Он просто бросается деньгами!
To tighten one’s belt	Затянуть пояс потуже, начать экономить	I’ll have to tighten my belt in order to buy this house. Я должен буду затянуть пояс потуже, чтобы купить этот дом.
A pretty penny	Большая сумма денег, бешеные деньги	This car costs a pretty penny! Этот машина стоит бешеных денег!
To live on a shoestring budget / on a shoestring	Жить бедно, на скудном бюджете	This movie was made on a shoestring. Этот фильм был снят на скромный бюджет.

Теперь ваш словарный запас пополнился 10 замечательными английскими идиомами о деньгах. Эти выражения часто встречаются в современных фильмах, сериалах, книгах, поэтому ваши усилия, потраченные на изучение новой лексики, не пропадут даром. А еще старайтесь чаще употреблять идиомы в своей речи, чтобы сделать ее живой и выразительной.

Money idioms in English give us a way to talk about finances using different expressions. Idioms about money can relate to earning, spending, saving and losing money, as well as your general financial state.

This list of common idioms about money includes definitions and example sentences so you can see exactly how to use them.

Idioms about making (or losing) money

First of all, we need to make some money. The following idioms refer to earning money or generating income:

Make a killing

If you make a killing on something, you make a lot of money from it very quickly and often without much effort.

“I made an absolute killing in the import business when I was young.”

A similar money idiom is make a fast buck. You can read about this on our page about fast idioms.

Cash cow

A cash cow is a scheme or business operation that provides a steady and dependable source of income.

“I didn’t know that this investment would turn out to be a cash cow.”

Quids in

This money idiom is more of a British saying. A ‘quid’ is a British term for a pound (sterling) and if you are quids in, you are in a profitable situation or stand to make a lot of money from something.

“Kyle is quids in after investing in cryptocurrency.”

Sell like hot cakes

If you’re in the business of selling products, you want them to sell like hot cakes. It means the items are very popular and sell quickly.

“The new earrings I designed are selling like hot cakes.”

This one also features on our list of hot idioms.

Cut your losses

If you feel like you’re losing money on something that won’t succeed, you might want to just cut your losses. This money idiom means you stop doing something that is already failing in order to avoid further loss.

“I had invested so much time and money in the business but it’s clear it wasn’t going to work out so I decided to cut my losses.”

Out of pocket

If you’re left out of pocket from something, it means you have lost money on it.

“I’ll never trust Paul again. He convinced me to invest in this scheme but it’s left me hundreds of dollars out of pocket.”

Money doesn’t grow on trees!

Money doesn’t grow on trees is less of a money idiom and more of a saying, but it’s still a good one to know. When people say this, they mean that money doesn’t come from nowhere; you must work hard for it.

“My daughter Martha wants to buy a new phone, but I’ve told her money doesn’t grow on trees!”

Idioms about saving money

Next up, these finance idioms are specifically about saving money. Some of these also appear on our list of idioms about the future.

Tighten your belt

If you’re spending too much, it might be time to tighten your belt. This means you become more thrifty and frugal.

“We’re going to have to tighten our belts if we want to make a profit this year.”

Save for a rainy day

To save for a rainy day means to save money for some unplanned event or emergency in the future.

“I try to save 5% of my salary each month for a rainy day.”

This is one of many rain idioms you can use in English.

A penny saved is a penny earned

Again this is a saying more than a money idiom, but it means that it’s important to save money and not just spend everything you earn.

“I’m trying to encourage my cousin to open a regular savings account. After all, a penny saved is a penny earned.”

Money idioms about spending

Enough of saving, let’s turn our attention to spending now:

Splash out on something

If you splash out on something, you make a significant purchase or spend a lot of money, often on a luxury.

“Why shouldn’t I be allowed to splash out from time to time?”
“I just went shopping with my boyfriend and he splashed out on a beautiful new dress for me.”

On a shoestring

If you do something on a shoestring (budget), you are spending as little as possible on it. This may be through necessity, or just because of careful budgeting.

“It’s so sad to see the whole family living on shoestring.”
“I’m planning to travel the world on a shoestring budget.”

This is often used as a travel expression.

Money to burn

People who have money to burn have a lot of disposable income (spare cash).

“Stop acting like you have money to burn! You still have to pay your rent for this month.”

Set you back

When you talk about how much something set you back, you’re talking about how much it cost you.

“Did your new watch set you back much?”
“No, it’s a fake, it only set me back $20.”

It may be used without a reference to the amount of money, in which case it means ‘cost a lot’.

“Sarah’s new car must have set her back.”

There’s no such thing as a free lunch

This free idiom is actually saying that nothing is really free in life. When someone comments that there is no such thing as a free lunch, they mean that even if something is offered for free, there is probably a hidden cost or other strings attached.

“I’d be wary of that deal if I were you. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

Cost an arm and a leg / cost the earth

Something that costs an arm and a leg is very expensive, perhaps costing more than the fair market price or more than you think is reasonable.

“I hope she likes this necklace; I paid an arm and a leg for it.”

Cost the earth is another money idiom with a similar meaning.

Dirt cheap

If something is dirt cheap, it is relatively inexpensive and good value for money.

“These t-shirts are dirt cheap so let’s buy five!”

On the house

A business or company may offer you something on the house, which means that it’s free of charge.

“Happy birthday! This drink’s on the house.”

This also appears on our list of drink idioms since it’s often said at bars or restaurants.

Fork out

To fork out means to pay, but usually in a begrudging way. You can also fork over a particular amount of money.

“I had to fork out $1500 to fix my car!”
“I think I need to fork out for a new washing machine. My old one keeps breaking down.”

Finance idioms

Finally, these idioms about money refer to someone’s general financial situation:

In the black/red

You might refer to your bank balance as in the black. This is a good thing, because it means you’re out of debt. But if you have a negative bank balance or are in debt, you are in the red.

“It feels so good to pay off the final installment on my loan and be back in the black.”

On the breadline

Someone who is on the breadline has only just enough money to live on.

“We spent several months on the breadline but thankfully we are living more comfortably now.”

Check out more idioms involving food.

Make ends meet

To make ends meet means to have enough money for basic living costs.

“The family struggle to make ends meet since the father was made redundant.”
“My son has no trouble making ends meet each month but I hope he’s saving some of his money.”

Feel the pinch

A person feeling the pinch is experiencing financial hardship. They may need to start spending less or find extra income in order to survive this difficult period.

“We’re feeling the pinch after Pierre got a pay cut.”

The opposite of a pay cut is a pay raise (in American English) or a pay rise (in British English). Learn more about rise and raise if you’re unsure when to use them correctly.

Made of money

If you are made of money, you are very rich and have plenty of spare cash.

“You’re acting like you’re made of money tonight, buying everyone drinks.”
“No, I can’t lend you £100! Do you think I’m made of money?”

See also: What’s the difference between borrow vs lend?

Feel/look (like) a million dollars/bucks

This is simply a way to say that you look or feel great! It could apply to your appearance, health, or inner wellbeing.

“You look a million dollars in that suit!”
“I feel like a million bucks after that pampering weekend.”

Put your money where your mouth is

If you’re told to put your money where your mouth is, you’re being told to live according to what you say, or to stop just talking about something and actually do it. This can be used in relation to money, or in a more abstract sense.

“If this is such a good purchase then put your money where your mouth is and buy one for yourself!”
“Maria is always talking about starting a business. She should put her money where her mouth is and actually do it.”

Maybe there are other money idioms that you have heard, too. Comment below if you have any great additions to this list!

Updated on August 05, 2018

The following idioms and expressions with the noun ‘money’ are less formal than collocations used with ‘money’. However, they are common in everyday conversation. Each idiom or expression has a definition and two example sentences to help understanding of these common idiomatic expressions with ‘money.’

Color of Someone’s Money

Definition: the amount of money someone has available

• Show me the color of your money and then we can talk.
• If we knew the color of the company’s money we could make a better bid on the deal.

Easy Money

Definition: money that can be earned with little effort

• Some people think that playing stocks is easy money.
• Unfortunately, there are few jobs are truly easy money.

Front Money

Definition: money paid in advance of receiving something

• I’ll need to put up $100,000 front money to get in on the deal.
• Always be suspicious of companies that ask for front money.

Heavy Money

Definition: a lot of money

• Tom will bring heavy money into the company if he agrees to invest.
• They have heavy money. I’m sure they’ll buy the house.

Hush Money

Definition: money paid to someone so that they don’t provide information

• Many people are paid hush money to not testify in court. It’s illegal, but it happens.
• The gang tried to pay the man off with hush money, but he was having none of it.

Mad Money

Definition: money used to have fun, money to waste

• We’ve put away a few thousand dollars in mad money for our next vacation.
• Don’t go to Las Vegas without some mad money.

Money From Home

Definition: easily gained money

• Peter thinks investing in stocks is money from home.
• She’s looking for a job that’s money from home. Good luck!

Money Grubber

Definition: someone who does not like to spend money, a stingy person

• She’ll never give you money for your idea. She’s a money grubber.
• Money grubbers can’t take it with them. I have no idea why they take it so seriously. I say easy come, easy go.

Money Talks

Definition: money has influence in a situation

• Of course, they let the big box store build in town. Never forget: Money talks.
• Just remember money talks. If they really want you for the position, they’ll meet your salary demands.

On the Money

Definition: correct, exact

• I’d say you are on the money about that situation.
• His guess that the company would succeed was on the money.

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is!

Definition: let’s have a bet about something

• Come on, if you think that is true, put your money where your mouth is! I’ll bet you 100 to 1 that it isn’t true.
• She put her money where her mouth was and made a fortune.

Smart Money

Definition: the best option, money of smart people investing in something

• The smart money is on Congress changing the law.
• He thinks the smart money is going to invest in renewable energy.

Soft Money

Definition: money which can be earned without much effort

• Take the job for a few months. It’s soft money.
• Jane thinks the position is soft money.

Spending Money

Definition: money to spend to have fun, purchases unnecessary items

• It’s important to have at least a little spending money each month.
• They don’t have much spending money, so they like to stay home rather than go on vacation.

Throw Money at Something

Definition: waste money on a situation

• Throwing money at the situation isn’t going to make it better.
• Some governments feel that throwing money at a program always helps.

Once you’ve learned these expressions, it’s a good idea to also learn important phrasal verbs about money. Finally, use the business English resources on the site to continue improving your English as it relates to the business world.