Funny money: Wacky and wise idioms about dough (idioms about money)

Mastering a language goes beyond grammar and vocabulary—it’s about capturing the rhythm and flair of how native speakers express themselves. Idioms, in particular, offer a colorful shortcut to sounding more natural and fluent. Among these, money idioms stand out as a fascinating category, weaving their way into everyday conversations far beyond the realms of finance or banking. From casual chats to life lessons, these phrases reveal cultural attitudes toward wealth, value, and resourcefulness. To dive deeper into their meanings and uses, consider exploring “Idioms: What they are and what they do. In this piece, we’ll unpack a variety of money idioms, complete with examples, to help you enrich your language and connect more authentically with native speakers.

Idioms about money

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 cheaply.

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 feel 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’s 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 – This suggests 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.

Conclusion

Money idioms do more than just spice up a conversation—they reflect universal experiences of value, struggle, and success that resonate across cultures. By learning and using these expressions, you not only sharpen your linguistic skills but also gain insight into the mindset of native speakers. Whether you’re pinching pennies, striking it rich, or simply offering your two cents, these phrases bring a lively, relatable dimension to everyday language. So, next time you’re chatting, toss in a money idiom—you might just find it’s worth its weight in gold!