Dobi Apps

English idioms

Money idioms

How English talks about being rich or broke, prices, spending and saving.

Idioms

  1. 1cost an arm and a legTo be very expensive.That new laptop cost an arm and a leg, so I'm being very careful with it.
  2. 2break the bankTo cost more money than you can afford.A weekend away doesn't have to break the bank if you book early.
  3. 3in the redOwing money, or spending more than you earn.My bank account is in the red again until payday.
  4. 4in the blackMaking a profit, or having money rather than debts.After a difficult year, the company is finally in the black.
  5. 5make ends meetTo have just enough money to pay for the things you need.Many students take part-time jobs to make ends meet.
  6. 6save for a rainy dayTo keep some money for a time in the future when you might need it.I try to save for a rainy day, even if it's only a little each month.
  7. 7bring home the baconTo earn the money that supports a family or household.In our house, we both bring home the bacon.
  8. 8foot the billTo pay for something, often something expensive or that others have used.The company footed the bill for our team dinner.
  9. 9break evenTo earn exactly as much as you spend, making no profit and no loss.The festival only broke even, but everyone had a great time.
  10. 10cash cowA product or business that brings in a steady, reliable profit.The online course became a cash cow for the small training company.
  11. 11live hand to mouthTo have only just enough money to survive, with nothing saved.When I first moved to the city, I was living hand to mouth.
  12. 12pinch penniesTo be very careful about spending money, sometimes too careful.We're pinching pennies this month to pay for our holiday.
  13. 13go DutchTo share the cost of something, such as a meal, with each person paying for themselves.On our first date, we decided to go Dutch.
  14. 14throw money down the drainTo waste money on something that brings no benefit.Paying for a gym you never use is just throwing money down the drain.
  15. 15from rags to richesFrom being very poor to being very rich.His journey from rags to riches started with a market stall.
  16. 16born with a silver spoon in your mouthBorn into a rich family with many advantages.She wasn't born with a silver spoon in her mouth – she worked for everything she has.
  17. 17rolling in itVery rich.They've got three houses – they must be rolling in it.
  18. 18a dime a dozenVery common, so not special or valuable.Coffee shops are a dime a dozen in this part of town.
  19. 19there's no such thing as a free lunchYou can't get something for nothing; there is always a hidden cost somewhere.The app is free, but it sells your data – there's no such thing as a free lunch.
  20. 20a penny saved is a penny earnedSaving money is as valuable as earning it.I make my own coffee instead of buying it – a penny saved is a penny earned.
  21. 21tighten your beltTo spend less money because you have less than before.After I lost my job, we had to tighten our belts.