Learning and using idioms is one way to sound more like a native speaker. Money idioms are not just used in finance or banking but also in everyday life. To learn more about the meaning and context read, “Idioms: What they are and what they do.”
A dime a dozen – Something very common and not of much value.
Example: Those cheap plastic containers are a dime a dozen. We can get new ones pretty cheap.
A penny for your thoughts – Asking someone what they are thinking, implying their thoughts are worth a small amount of money. This phrase is not used very often in regular conversation.
Example: I didn’t ask you for your opinion, but I’ll give you a penny for your thoughts.
A penny saved is a penny earned – Emphasizing the value of saving money.
Example: Start saving now. A penny saved is a penny earned.
Balance the books – To make sure that the amount of money spent is not more than the amount of money received.
Example: I’m trying to balance the books by cutting back on unnecessary expenses.
Born with a silver spoon in your mouth – Someone who was born into a wealthy and privileged family.
Example: She doesn’t understand what it’s like to struggle. She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
Break the bank – To cost more than one can afford or to deplete one’s resources.
Example: Be careful with your credit card this holiday season. Don’t break the bank!
Bring home the bacon – To earn money for your family or household, especially the money that is needed for basic necessities like food and shelter.
Example: It’s tough being a single parent and trying to bring home the bacon.
Burning a hole in one’s pocket – When someone feels an urgent need to spend money.
Example: Son, you don’t need to buy another toy right now. That money must be burning a hole in your pocket.
Cash cow – A business venture, product, or investment that generates a steady flow of profit.
Example: This new soda is everywhere. It must be a real cash cow.
Cheap as chips (UK)- Very inexpensive.
Example: We got the tickets for the concert as cheap as chips.
Cook the books – To falsify or manipulate financial records, often to hide financial problems, inflate profits, or avoid paying taxes. It’s a dishonest and illegal practice.
Example: The company’s CEO was arrested for cooking the books to hide millions in losses.
Cost an arm and a leg – Something very expensive or costly.
Example: That new car must have cost an arm and a leg.
Deep pockets – Having a lot of money, or the ability to finance something.
Example: Marice has very deep pockets. She can afford it.
Feel the pinch – To experience financial difficulty.
Example: I’m really starting to fell the pinch with this inflation.
Flat broke – Completely and utterly without money.
Example: I’m flat broke. I can’t afford that right now.
Fork over – To hand over or give something, usually money, often reluctantly or unwillingly.
Example: I won the game. For over the cash.
From rags to riches – Describing someone’s journey from poverty to wealth.
Example: She really is a true rags-to-riches story. / John came from rags to riches. He wasn’t always that wealthy.
Give someone a run for their money – To challenge someone strongly, often in competition, where one proves to be a worthy opponent.
Example: John runs crazy fast! He’s going to give them a run for their money. / My youngest child is a wild child. She going to give me a run for my money.
Going Dutch – Each person pays for themselves, sharing the cost equally.
Example: We’re going Dutch tonight for dinner.
Gravy train – A situation or job where someone can earn a lot of money or other benefits with little effort.
Example: He landed a cushy government job. He’s on the gravy train now.
Have a nest egg – Money saved for the future, often for retirement.
Example: You need to have a nest egg fund for rainy days.
Highway robbery – An excessively high price or overcharging for something.
Example: The price of rent in the United States is highway robbery.
In the black – Making a profit or being financially solvent.
Example: After years of running losses, the company announced that they are finally in the black.
In the red – Operating at a loss or being in debt.
Example: My bank account has been in the red for months.
Laughing all the way to the bank – Making a lot of money, often unexpectedly or from a good deal.
Example: The owner was laughing all the way to the bank after he made millions from deceiving his customers.
Looks like a million bucks – Someone or something that looks very attractive, stylish, healthy, or well-put-together.
Example: You look like a million bucks in that dress! / Wow, that shine on your car looks like a million bucks.
Made of money – Very rich; having a lot of money. Often used in a negative sense.
Example: Do you think I’m made of money? / John must be made of money with all that spending.
Money doesn’t grow on trees – Reminding someone that money is not unlimited and should be spent wisely.
Example: Son, turn off the lights! Money doesn’t grow on trees.
Money talks – Wealth gives someone power or influence.
Example: It’s hard to move ahead if you are poor because money talks. / The developer was able to get the zoning approved in record time. Money talks.
Money talks, BS walks – (vulgar; BS = bullsh** walks) Financial resources and influence are more powerful and effective than empty promises, excuses, or lies
Example: They promised us the world, but then the project ran out of funding. Money talks, BS walks.
Nickel and dime – To charge small amounts repeatedly, or to haggle over trivial sums.
Example: Most of these companies will nickel and dime you. They charge extra for everything.
Pay through the nose – To pay an exorbitantly high price.
Example: I paid through the nose for that kitchen remodel.
Penny-wise and pound-foolish (UK) – Being cautious or economical in small or trivial matters while being wasteful or extravagant in larger ones.
Example: He clipped coupons to save a few dollars on groceries, but then spent hundreds on a new gadget he didn’t need. He’s penny-wise and pound-foolish.
Pick up the tab – To pay the bill or expenses for something, often for a group of people.
Example: You paid last time. I’ll pick up the tab this time.
Pinch pennies – To be extremely frugal or to save money carefully.
Example: In this economy, we’ve all had to pinch pennies.
Put your money where your mouth is – To take action to back up one’s claims, especially by spending money.
Example: She’s always talking about helping the homeless, but she never puts her money where her mouth is.
On a shoestring [budget]- Doing something with very little money.
Example: We’re living on a shoestring budget. / You can go out and do a lot in this city on a shoestring.
On the house – Provided free by the establishment, not to be paid for by the customer.
Example: Drinks are on the house. / We’re sorry for the mess up. This meal is on the house.
Save for a rainy day/Rainy day fund – Money saved for unexpected expenses or emergencies.
Example: We need to save our money for a rainy day. / I had to dip into my rainy day fund to pay for groceries.
Strike it rich – To suddenly become wealthy, often by luck or a fortunate event.
Example: We all dream of striking it rich as youngsters.
The best things in life are free – Suggesting that true value lies in non-material things.
Example: We had such a wonderful time at the park, just enjoying the sunshine and each other’s company. It really shows that the best things in life are free.
Throw money at something – Trying to solve a problem by spending a lot of money on it, often without a strategic plan.
Example: Don’t just throw money at it. You need to have a plan.
Tighten your belt – To reduce spending and live more frugally.
Example: We’ve all had to tighten our belts since the recession.
Time is money – Time is a valuable resource, just like money, and therefore should be used wisely and efficiently.
Example: Let’s get this done quickly. Time is money.
Two cents worth – One’s opinion or advice, often unsolicited.
Example: Everyone wants to give their two cents worth but few provide valuable insight or completely understand the issues at hand.
Worth its weight in gold – Something very valuable, either literally or figuratively.
Example: Time spent with Mom in her final years was worth its weight in gold.
You get what you pay for – Suggesting that quality often comes at a price.
Example: I bought the cheapest laptop I could find, and now it’s constantly crashing. Well, you get what you pay for.
