In this blog post, we’re going to explore 28 common sayings related to money that people often use in English. These phrases can make conversations more colorful and help you understand English better. They’re used by many people in different situations, like talking about work, shopping, or even in movies and books.
Money Idioms
Here are 28 money idioms with their meanings and example sentences.
1. Burning a hole in one’s pocket
- This means someone is eager to spend money.
- Example: “This cash is burning a hole in my pocket, so I’m going shopping.”
2. Saving for a rainy day
- To save money for a time when it might be needed unexpectedly.
- Example: “She always puts some money aside, saving for a rainy day.”
3. Breaking the bank
- To costs a lot of money, more than what is affordable.
- Example: “Buying that new car is going to break the bank.”
4. A penny for your thoughts
- A way of asking what someone is thinking about.
- Example: “You’ve been quiet. A penny for your thoughts?”
5. Cost an arm and a leg
- Very expensive.
- Example: “That designer dress cost her an arm and a leg.”
6. Money doesn’t grow on trees
- Money is not easy to obtain and should be spent wisely.
- Example: “I can’t buy a new phone; money doesn’t grow on trees.”
7. To foot the bill
- To pay for something.
- Example: “He offered to foot the bill for dinner.”
8. A dime a dozen
- Something very common and not valuable.
- Example: “Those kinds of watches are a dime a dozen.”
9. To make ends meet
- To have just enough money to pay for the things you need.
- Example: “After losing her job, she struggled to make ends meet.”
10. To be in the red
- To have more money going out than coming in; to be in debt.
- Example: “The company has been in the red for the last three quarters.”
11. To be in the black
- To be profitable or financially sound.
- Example: “Our business is finally in the black after a hard year.”
12. To pay an arm and a leg
- To pay a very high price for something.
- Example: “He paid an arm and a leg for that old painting.”
13. A nest egg
- Money saved for the future.
- Example: “They’ve built a nice nest egg for their retirement.”
14. To tighten one’s belt
- To live on a smaller budget.
- Example: “We’ll have to tighten our belts if we want to save for a vacation.”
15. Money talks
- Money can influence people and outcomes.
- Example: “He got the best seats at the concert; money talks.”
16. To throw money down the drain
- To waste money.
- Example: “Buying that old car was like throwing money down the drain.”
17. To turn on a dime
- To change direction or position quickly.
- Example: “The market can turn on a dime, so be careful with your investments.”
18. Paying peanuts
- Paying very little money for something.
- Example: “They’re paying peanuts to their employees, which isn’t fair.”
19. To have money to burn
- To have more money than one needs.
- Example: “With his new job, he acts like he has money to burn.”
20. To be worth one’s weight in gold
- To be extremely valuable or useful.
- Example: “A good mechanic is worth their weight in gold.”
21. Cash cow
- A business or product that generates a steady flow of money.
- Example: “That franchise has become their cash cow.”
22. To cash in on something
- To profit from an opportunity.
- Example: “She cashed in on the trend and made a lot of money.”
23. To be on the money
- To be exactly right about something.
- Example: “Your prediction about the game was right on the money.”
24. To put one’s money where one’s mouth is
- To back up one’s words with actions, particularly by spending money.
- Example: “If you believe in this cause so much, put your money where your mouth is and donate.”
25. To shell out
- To pay a lot of money, often unwillingly.
- Example: “He had to shell out a fortune for the car repairs.”
26. To be penny-wise and pound-foolish
- To save small amounts of money but waste much larger amounts.
- Example: “Not investing in quality equipment is being penny-wise and pound-foolish.”
27. To bet your bottom dollar
- To be very sure about something.
- Example: “You can bet your bottom dollar that he’ll be the first to arrive.”
28. To rake in the money
- To earn a lot of money easily.
- Example: “Her new business is raking in the money
Related: Sports Idioms with Meanings
