121 idioms about MONEY + examples + Video!
phrases and expressions in English about MONEY which improve our skill in conversation like natives and also can help us to understand movies and series.
1. “Break the Bank”:
· Meaning: To spend an extravagant amount of money or to exhaust one’s financial resources.
· Example: “I can’t break the bank on this vacation, so I’m looking for budget-friendly options.”
2. “A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned”:
· Meaning: It’s wise to save money rather than spend it, as saving is equivalent to earning.
· Example: “I’m putting some money into my savings account every month; a penny saved is a penny earned, after all.”
3. “In the Red”:
· Meaning: To be in debt or to have negative financial accounts.
· Example: “After my last shopping spree, my bank account is deep in the red.”
4. “Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees”:
· Meaning: Money is not easy to come by, and one should be mindful of spending.
· Example: “You can’t buy everything you want; money doesn’t grow on trees.”
5. “Cash Cow”:
· Meaning: A source of consistent and significant income or profit.
· Example: “Their real estate investments have been a cash cow for years.”
6. “Cost an Arm and a Leg”:
· Meaning: To be extremely expensive.
· Example: “The repairs on my car after the accident cost me an arm and a leg.”
7. “Money Talks”:
· Meaning: Wealth and financial power can influence or achieve things.
· Example: “In the world of politics, money talks, and candidates with more funding often have an advantage.”
8. “Throw Money at a Problem”:
· Meaning: Attempting to solve a problem or challenge by spending money rather than addressing the root cause.
· Example: “Hiring more staff isn’t always the solution; sometimes, you can’t just throw money at a problem.”
9. “Pinch Pennies”:
· Meaning: To be very frugal or careful with spending money.
· Example: “They’re pinching pennies to save for their dream vacation.”
10. “Pay through the Nose”:
· Meaning: To pay an exorbitant amount of money for something.
· Example: “I had to pay through the nose for those front-row concert tickets.”
11. “Penny Wise and Pound Foolish”:
· Meaning: Being overly concerned with small savings while overlooking larger expenses.
· Example: “She saved money by buying a cheap car, but it constantly needed expensive repairs. That’s penny-wise and pound-foolish.”
12. “Money for Old Rope”:
· Meaning: Earning money easily or for doing very little.
· Example: “Some people seem to make money for old rope, while others work hard for their income.”
13. “Rolling in the Dough”:
· Meaning: Being extremely wealthy or having a lot of money.
· Example: “After winning the lottery, he’s been rolling in the dough.”
14. “Rob Peter to Pay Paul”:
· Meaning: To settle one debt by incurring another; essentially, robbing one source to pay another.
· Example: “He had to rob Peter to pay Paul, borrowing from one credit card to pay off another.”
15. “Money is the Root of All Evil”:
· Meaning: The pursuit of wealth can lead to unethical or immoral behavior.
· Example: “Some people believe that money is the root of all evil, but it’s how it’s used that matters.”
16. “Burning a Hole in Your Pocket”:
· Meaning: To have a strong urge to spend money immediately.
· Example: “That unexpected bonus check is burning a hole in my pocket; I want to go shopping.”
17. “Dime a Dozen”:
· Meaning: Something is very common and easy to find, often used when discussing low-value items.
· Example: “In this digital age, cheap smartphones are a dime a dozen.”
18. “A Fool and His Money Are Soon Parted”:
· Meaning: Someone who is not careful with their money is likely to lose it quickly.
· Example: “He spent all his inheritance on extravagant vacations and luxury items; a fool and his money are soon parted.”
19. “Money Talks, Bullshit Walks”:
· Meaning: Money has influence and speaks louder than empty words or excuses.
· Example: “When negotiations get tough, remember that money talks, and we need to offer a better deal.”
20. “On a Shoestring Budget”:
· Meaning: Operating with a very tight or limited budget.
· Example: “Starting a business on a shoestring budget is challenging but possible.”
21. “Rolling in It”:
· Meaning: Being extremely wealthy or having an abundance of money.
· Example: “After their successful tech startup, they’ve been rolling in it.”
22. “Money Can’t Buy Happiness”:
· Meaning: Material wealth doesn’t guarantee emotional well-being.
· Example: “He realized that money can’t buy happiness, and he values time with his family more.”
23. “You Get What You Pay For”:
· Meaning: The quality of a product or service is often related to its price.
· Example: “That discount phone has constant issues; you get what you pay for.”
24. “Turn a Profit”:
· Meaning: To make a financial gain or earn more money than was spent.
· Example: “They invested in real estate and managed to turn a profit within a year.”
25. “Nest Egg”:
· Meaning: Money saved for future needs or emergencies.
· Example: “Building a nest egg is essential for a secure retirement.”
26. “Money Makes the World Go Round”:
· Meaning: Money is the driving force behind many aspects of life.
· Example: “In the business world, it’s often said that money makes the world go round.”
27. “Worth Its Weight in Gold”:
· Meaning: Extremely valuable or beneficial.
· Example: “His financial advice has been worth its weight in gold; it helped me save a lot of money.”
28. “In for a Penny, in for a Pound”:
· Meaning: Once you start something, you might as well commit fully.
· Example: “I was just going to clean the garage, but I ended up reorganizing the entire house — in for a penny, in for a pound.”
29. “Not Worth a Plug Nickel”:
· Meaning: Something is worthless or of very little value.
· Example: “That old computer is not worth a plug nickel; it’s too outdated to be useful.”
30. “The Best Things in Life Are Free”:
· Meaning: Some of life’s most valuable experiences and joys don’t require money.
· Example: “I realized that spending time with family and friends is a reminder that the best things in life are free.”
31. “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is”:
· Meaning: Back up your words with action or financial commitment.
· Example: “If you believe in this project, it’s time to put your money where your mouth is and invest.”
32. “To Make Ends Meet”:
· Meaning: To earn just enough money to cover essential expenses.
· Example: “With the rising cost of living, many people are struggling to make ends meet.”
33. “A Day Late and a Dollar Short”:
· Meaning: Being too late to make a difference or too little to be of value.
· Example: “I tried to buy those concert tickets, but I was a day late and a dollar short; they were sold out.”
34. “In the Black”:
· Meaning: To have a positive balance or profit in financial matters.
· Example: “Thanks to careful budgeting, my bank account is finally in the black.”
35. “Money to Burn”:
· Meaning: Having a surplus of money, often to the point of being wasteful.
· Example: “He spends his money as if he has money to burn, buying extravagant items.”
36. “Rake It In”:
· Meaning: To earn a substantial amount of money.
· Example: “Their business has been so successful; they’re really raking it in.”
37. “Rainy Day Fund”:
· Meaning: Money set aside for unexpected or difficult times.
· Example: “It’s a good idea to have a rainy day fund in case of emergencies.”
38. “Money Talks, Wealth Whispers”:
· Meaning: Wealthy people don’t need to flaunt their money; it’s evident through their lifestyle.
· Example: “You won’t see him driving a flashy car; he believes in ‘money talks, wealth whispers.’”
39. “Pay the Piper”:
· Meaning: To face the consequences of one’s actions or expenditures.
· Example: “After overspending for months, it’s time to pay the piper and cut back.”
40. “Live Within Your Means”:
· Meaning: To spend only what you can afford based on your income.
· Example: “It’s important to live within your means to avoid financial stress.”
41. “Gold Digger”:
· Meaning: Someone who is primarily interested in a person’s wealth or assets.
· Example: “He suspected she was a gold digger when she showed interest in his expensive car.”
42. “Money Can’t Buy Class”:
· Meaning: Wealth doesn’t necessarily bring refinement or sophistication.
· Example: “Even with all their wealth, some people lack manners; money can’t buy class.”
43. “Shell Out”:
· Meaning: To spend or pay a significant amount of money.
· Example: “I had to shell out a lot for those concert tickets, but it was worth it.”
44. “More Bang for Your Buck”:
· Meaning: To get better value or benefits for the money spent.
· Example: “Shopping at the outlet store can give you more bang for your buck.”
45. “Money Talks, but All It Says Is Goodbye”:
· Meaning: Money can be spent quickly, and it often seems to disappear.
· Example: “I got my paycheck, but it seems like money talks, and all it says is goodbye.”
46. “A Penny for Your Thoughts”:
· Meaning: A polite way to ask someone what they are thinking.
· Example: “You look deep in thought. Can I offer a penny for your thoughts?”
47. “Spending Like There’s No Tomorrow”:
· Meaning: Excessive or extravagant spending without considering the future.
· Example: “She’s been spending like there’s no tomorrow, and now she’s in debt.”
48. “Money Talks, Bullshit Walks”:
· Meaning: Money has influence and speaks louder than empty words or excuses.
· Example: “In the world of politics, money talks, and candidates with more funding often have an advantage.”
49. “To Live Hand to Mouth”:
· Meaning: To have just enough money to cover basic expenses, with no savings.
· Example: “After losing his job, he had to live hand to mouth for a while.”
50. “Throw Good Money After Bad”:
· Meaning: To continue investing in something unprofitable or wasteful.
· Example: “I’ve already spent so much on that project; I can’t throw good money after bad.”
51. “Money Makes the Mare Go”:
· Meaning: Money is necessary to make things happen or to achieve progress.
· Example: “We need investors to fund the project; money makes the mare go.”
52. “The Cost of Living”:
· Meaning: The amount of money required to maintain a certain standard of living.
· Example: “The cost of living in the city is much higher than in rural areas.”
53. “In the Same Boat”:
· Meaning: In a similar financial or situational circumstance.
· Example: “During tough economic times, many people find themselves in the same boat.”
54. “To Tighten Your Belt”:
· Meaning: To reduce spending or live more frugally.
· Example: “With the recent job loss, we’ve had to tighten our belt and cut back on non-essential expenses.”
55. “A Day’s Pay for a Day’s Work”:
· Meaning: The principle that one should be paid fairly for their labor.
· Example: “I believe in a day’s pay for a day’s work; it’s only fair.”
56. “Money for Jam”:
· Meaning: Earning money easily or for minimal effort.
· Example: “Some people find freelance writing to be money for jam.”
57. “Pennies from Heaven”:
· Meaning: Unexpected financial gain or luck.
· Example: “Finding that winning lottery ticket was like pennies from heaven.”
58. “Make a Mint”:
· Meaning: To earn a substantial amount of money, often quickly.
· Example: “Investing in tech stocks during the boom allowed him to make a mint.”
59. “Two Cents’ Worth”:
· Meaning: Sharing one’s opinion or advice, often unsolicited.
· Example: “I’d like to offer my two cents’ worth on the matter.”
60. “Money on the Nail”:
· Meaning: Payment is made immediately in cash.
· Example: “He insisted on being paid money on the nail for his services.”
61. “Roll in Dough”:
· Meaning: To be very wealthy or have a lot of money.
· Example: “After that successful business deal, he’s been rolling in dough.”
62. “Make a Killing”:
· Meaning: To earn a substantial profit, especially in a short time.
· Example: “He made a killing by investing in cryptocurrency early.”
63. “Change Your Tune”:
· Meaning: To change one’s opinion or behavior, often due to financial incentives.
· Example: “He used to be against the project, but he changed his tune when they offered him a large share of the profits.”
64. “Flesh and Blood”:
· Meaning: Family or relatives, often in the context of financial support.
· Example: “I can’t refuse to help my own flesh and blood in times of need.”
65. “Up the Creek without a Paddle”:
· Meaning: In a difficult situation with no apparent solution.
· Example: “After losing my job and savings, I found myself up the creek without a paddle.”
66. “Mind Your Ps and Qs”:
· Meaning: Be careful with your spending or be frugal.
· Example: “I need to mind my Ps and Qs after that expensive vacation.”
67. “Money Pit”:
· Meaning: An investment or project that continually requires more money to be poured into it.
· Example: “That old house has become a money pit with all the repairs it needs.”
68. “By the Sweat of Your Brow”:
· Meaning: Earning money through hard work and effort.
· Example: “He built his fortune by the sweat of his brow through years of hard work.”
69. “Spare Change”:
· Meaning: Small amounts of money, especially coins.
· Example: “He offered spare change to the homeless man on the corner.”
70. “Eat Someone out of House and Home”:
· Meaning: To consume an excessive amount of food or resources.
· Example: “When his teenage son and his friends visit, they eat him out of house and home.”
71. “Count Your Blessings”:
· Meaning: Be grateful for what you have, especially in comparison to others.
· Example: “I may not be rich, but I count my blessings for my loving family and good health.”
72. “Savings Burn a Hole in Your Pocket”:
· Meaning: The temptation to spend savings quickly after accumulating them.
· Example: “As soon as he saved up some money, it burned a hole in his pocket, and he bought a new gadget.”
73. “Gold Standard”:
· Meaning: A measure or benchmark of the highest quality or excellence.
· Example: “Their customer service sets the gold standard for the industry.”
74. “Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget”:
· Meaning: Desiring or enjoying expensive things but having a limited budget.
· Example: “She has champagne taste on a beer budget, always wanting luxury items but struggling to afford them.”
75. “Lose Your Shirt”:
· Meaning: To lose all one’s money or assets in a venture or gamble.
· Example: “He invested heavily in the stock market and ended up losing his shirt.”
76. “In the Hole”:
· Meaning: To be in debt or owing money.
· Example: “After the medical bills, I found myself $10,000 in the hole.”
77. “Money Is No Object”:
· Meaning: The cost of something is not a concern due to a plentiful budget.
· Example: “When planning the wedding, they decided money is no object and went for the most luxurious options.”
78. “Dress for Success”:
· Meaning: To wear clothing that portrays wealth or a high social status.
· Example: “In the business world, dressing for success can make a difference in how others perceive you.”
79. “A License to Print Money”:
· Meaning: A business or opportunity that generates significant profit with little effort.
· Example: “That franchise is like a license to print money; it’s always busy.”
80. “Easy Come, Easy Go”:
· Meaning: Money or possessions acquired easily are often lost or spent just as easily.
· Example: “He won a lot at the casino, but it was all gone by the end of the weekend — easy come, easy go.”
81. “Over a Barrel”:
· Meaning: In a position of vulnerability or lacking options due to financial pressure.
· Example: “He’s over a barrel with the mortgage payments; he can’t afford to lose his home.”
82. “Cash and Carry”:
· Meaning: Paying for something immediately in cash and taking it with you.
· Example: “The antique shop operates on a cash-and-carry basis; there’s no credit.”
83. “Penny-Pincher”:
· Meaning: Someone who is very frugal and watches their spending closely.
· Example: “He’s a notorious penny-pincher; he never spends money unless absolutely necessary.”
84. “Golden Handcuffs”:
· Meaning: Financial incentives that discourage someone from leaving a job or situation.
· Example: “He wanted to change careers, but the golden handcuffs of his high salary kept him at the current job.”
85. “Money Doesn’t Make the Man”:
· Meaning: A person’s character and qualities are not defined by their wealth.
· Example: “No matter how much he earns, he believes that money doesn’t make the man.”
86. “Show Me the Money”:
· Meaning: A demand for payment or proof of funds.
· Example: “Before we sign the contract, show me the money.”
87. “Money is the Root of All Evil”:
· Meaning: The love of money and greed can lead to immoral or harmful actions.
· Example: “Some people believe that money is the root of all evil, but it’s how it’s used that matters.”
88. “A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned”:
· Meaning: It’s wise to save money rather than spend it, as saving is equivalent to earning.
· Example: “I’m putting some money into my savings account every month; a penny saved is a penny earned, after all.”
89. “The Midas Touch”:
· Meaning: The ability to turn everything one touches into wealth or success.
· Example: “Ever since she started her own business, it seems like she has the Midas touch; everything she does is successful.”
90. “To Pay through the Nose”:
· Meaning: To pay an exorbitant amount of money for something.
· Example: “I had to pay through the nose for those front-row concert tickets.”
91. “Worth Its Weight in Gold”:
· Meaning: Extremely valuable or beneficial.
· Example: “His financial advice has been worth its weight in gold; it helped me save a lot of money.”
92. “Raining Cats and Dogs”:
· Meaning: A heavy or intense rainstorm.
· Example: “We can’t go out right now; it’s raining cats and dogs.”
93. “Pigs Get Fat, Hogs Get Slaughtered”: — Meaning: Being too greedy or taking excessive risks can lead to losing everything. — Example: “He was making good money but got greedy and invested too heavily in risky stocks; remember, pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered.”
94. “Like a Thief in the Night”:
· Meaning: Doing something suddenly and discreetly, often without anyone noticing.
· Example: “He withdrew the money from the bank like a thief in the night and disappeared.”
95. “Strike While the Iron Is Hot”:
· Meaning: Take advantage of an opportunity when it’s available or favorable.
· Example: “The stock market is doing well; it’s a good time to invest and strike while the iron is hot.”
96. “Cry All the Way to the Bank”:
· Meaning: To be upset about something that’s actually very profitable or beneficial.
· Example: “He might complain about the long hours at work, but he’s crying all the way to the bank with that paycheck.”
97. “A Fool and His Money Are Soon Parted”:
· Meaning: Someone who is not careful with their money is likely to lose it quickly.
· Example: “He spent all his inheritance on extravagant vacations and luxury items; a fool and his money are soon parted.”
98. “Silver Spoon”:
· Meaning: Someone born into wealth or privilege.
· Example: “He’s always had a silver spoon in his mouth, never had to worry about money.”
99. “More Money Than Sense”:
· Meaning: Having a lot of money but lacking good judgment or wisdom in spending it.
· Example: “He bought an expensive sports car just to drive it on weekends; more money than sense.”
100. “Dig Yourself Out of a Hole”:
· Meaning: To work on resolving a financial problem or paying off debt.
· Example: “I had to dig myself out of a hole after those unexpected medical bills.”
101. “License to Steal”:
· Meaning: An opportunity or situation that allows for easy profit.
· Example: “In the booming real estate market, it seemed like owning property was a license to steal.”
102. “Rob Peter to Pay Paul”:
· Meaning: To settle one debt by incurring another; essentially, robbing one source to pay another.
· Example: “He had to rob Peter to pay Paul, borrowing from one credit card to pay off another.”
103. “Honest as the Day Is Long”:
· Meaning: Completely honest and trustworthy.
· Example: “You can always rely on him; he’s as honest as the day is long.”
104. “Worth Its Weight in Gold”:
· Meaning: Extremely valuable or beneficial.
· Example: “Her time-saving app is worth its weight in gold; it has made my work so much easier.”
105. “Burning a Hole in Your Pocket”:
· Meaning: To have a strong urge to spend money immediately.
· Example: “That unexpected bonus check is burning a hole in my pocket; I want to go shopping.”
106. “More Money Than You Can Shake a Stick At”:
· Meaning: Having an abundant amount of money or wealth.
· Example: “After years of hard work, he now has more money than you can shake a stick at.”
107. “Money Is the Mother’s Milk of Politics”:
· Meaning: Money plays a crucial role in politics and campaigns.
· Example: “In this election, fundraising is everything; they say money is the mother’s milk of politics.”
108. “Throw Money at a Problem”:
· Meaning: Attempting to solve a problem or challenge by spending money rather than addressing the root cause.
· Example: “Hiring more staff isn’t always the solution; sometimes, you can’t just throw money at a problem.”
109. “Money Makes the World Go Round”:
· Meaning: Money is the driving force behind many aspects of life.
· Example: “In the business world, it’s often said that money makes the world go round.”
110. “Two Cents’ Worth”:
· Meaning: Sharing one’s opinion or advice, often unsolicited.
· Example: “I’d like to offer my two cents’ worth on the matter.”
111. “Count Your Blessings”:
· Meaning: Be grateful for what you have, especially in comparison to others.
· Example: “I may not be rich, but I count my blessings for my loving family and good health.”
112. “Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket”:
· Meaning: It’s unwise to risk everything on a single investment or opportunity.
· Example: “Diversify your investments; don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
113. “Money Talks, but It Can’t Sing and Dance”:
· Meaning: Money is useful, but it can’t provide everything, especially happiness or talent.
· Example: “He’s wealthy, but money talks; it can’t make him a great singer or dancer.”
114. “In the Lap of Luxury”:
· Meaning: Living in extreme comfort and wealth.
· Example: “After winning the lottery, she’s been living in the lap of luxury.”
115. “Live High on the Hog”:
· Meaning: To live extravagantly or in a lavish manner.
· Example: “They’ve been living high on the hog ever since they inherited that fortune.”
116. “Penny for Your Thoughts”:
· Meaning: A polite way to ask someone what they are thinking.
· Example: “You look deep in thought. Can I offer a penny for your thoughts?”
117. “Count Your Pennies”:
· Meaning: To be frugal and save money carefully.
· Example: “In these uncertain times, it’s important to count your pennies and save for the future.”
118. “License to Print Money”:
· Meaning: A business or investment opportunity that generates significant profit with minimal effort.
· Example: “That franchise is like a license to print money; it’s always busy.”
119. “Money Doesn’t Make the World Go Round”:
· Meaning: Emphasizing that money isn’t the only important thing in life.
· Example: “Yes, we need money, but remember, money doesn’t make the world go round.”
120. “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is”:
· Meaning: Back up your words with action or financial commitment.
· Example: “If you believe in this project, it’s time to put your money where your mouth is and invest.”
121. “Nickel and Dime”:
· Meaning: To spend money in small, insignificant amounts.
· Example: “She nickel and dimes her way through life, rarely making large purchases.”
