Money Idioms: Meanings, Examples & Usage Guide
💰 Introduction: Why Learn Money Idioms?
Money is a universal topic — in business, daily life, relationships, and even emotions. Native English speakers frequently use money idioms to describe wealth, poverty, success, risk, and value.
If you want to sound more natural, fluent, and confident in English, understanding idioms related to money is essential.
In this article, you will learn:
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Common and advanced money idioms in English
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Their meanings in simple language
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Natural example sentences
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Cultural context and usage tips
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| Money Idioms |
1. Break the Bank
Meaning:
To spend too much money or more than you can afford.
Example:
Buying that designer bag won’t break the bank, but buying five of them will.
Usage Tip:
Often used when reassuring someone that something is affordable.
2. Cost an Arm and a Leg
Meaning:
To be extremely expensive.
Example:
Studying abroad costs an arm and a leg, so many students look for scholarships.
Cultural Note:
Common in spoken English and informal writing.
3. Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees
Meaning:
Money is not easy to get; it should not be wasted.
Example:
Stop buying unnecessary gadgets — money doesn’t grow on trees.
Context:
Frequently used by parents or elders.
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4. Tighten One’s Belt
Meaning:
To spend less money because of financial difficulty.
Example:
After losing his job, he had to tighten his belt and cut unnecessary expenses.
Business Usage:
Common in economic and corporate discussions.
5. Live Hand to Mouth
Meaning:
To have just enough money to survive, with nothing left over; living very poorly or barely making ends meet.
Example:
During the pandemic, some small businesses had to live hand to mouth.
Tone:
Neutral but often used in serious financial contexts.
6. Make Ends Meet
Meaning:
To earn just enough money to cover basic living expenses.
Example:
Small businesses often find it challenging to make ends meet during economic downturns.
Learner Tip:
Very common in everyday spoken English.
7. In the Red / In the Black
In the Red – Meaning: In debt or losing money
In the Black – Meaning: Making a profit or being financially stable
Examples:
The company has been in the red for three years.
After the new product launch, they are finally in the black.
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8. Bring Home the Bacon
Meaning:
To earn money to support one’s family.
Example:
Even during hard times, he managed to bring home the bacon every month.
Cultural Insight:
Originally linked to winning prizes in old competitions.
9. Throw Money Down the Drain
Meaning:
To waste money on something useless.
Example:
Buying fake courses online is throwing money down the drain.
10. Pay Through the Nose
Meaning:
To pay a very high price.
Example:
Tourists often pay through the nose for hotel rooms in peak season.
11. Have Money to Burn
Meaning:
To have more money than needed; willing to spend freely.
Example:
He travels first class because he has money to burn.
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12. Penny-Pincher
Meaning:
A person who is very careful and strict about spending money.
Example:
My uncle is a penny-pincher — he never tips.
Tone:
Slightly negative or humorous.
13. Cash Cow
Meaning:
A product, business, or investment that generates a steady and significant amount of money.
Example:
That smartphone model has become a cash cow for the company.
14. Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
Meaning:
To support your statements or opinions with action, especially by investing time, effort, or money.
Example:
If you believe in the project, put your money where your mouth is.
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15. Golden Handcuffs
Meaning:
High salary or benefits that make it difficult to leave a job.
Example:
He dislikes his job but stays because of the golden handcuffs.
16. Burning a Hole in Your Pocket
Meaning:
When someone has money that they are eager to spend quickly.
Example:
He just received his bonus, and it’s already burning a hole in his pocket.
Usage Tip:
This idiom is often used in informal conversations, especially when talking about impulse spending or excitement over new money.
17. Time is Money
Meaning:
Time is valuable, so wasting time is like wasting money.
Example:
Stop chatting and get back to work — remember, time is money.
18. Raining Money
Meaning:
To have a lot of money; to make or receive money easily or in abundance.
Example:
Ever since the new business deal, it feels like money is raining!
Tone:
Informal, often used humorously or in exaggeration.
🔹 Practice Section
Fill in the blanks:
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That new phone is __________ an arm and a leg.
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He’s so excited about his bonus, it’s __________.
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Ever since the new deal, it feels like it’s __________.
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We must __________ our belts during inflation.
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After losing his job, he was living __________.
(Answers: costs, burning a hole in your pocket, raining money, tighten, hand to mouth)
✔ Conclusion
Money idioms are an essential part of real-life English communication. Mastering them helps you understand cultural context, improve fluency, and communicate naturally in business and daily life.
If you consistently practise these expressions, your English will become:
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More expressive
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More professional
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More native-like
