Imagine for a moment, walking into your favorite cafe and ordering “a dime’s worth of coffee.” The barista raises an eyebrow, but with a friendly smile, pours you a steaming cup of joe. Congratulations! You’ve just used an idiom related to money, adding some color and culture to your English. Isn’t it exciting how language can transform everyday transactions into something much more interesting? So, are you ready to dive into the world of English idioms about money?
Without further ado, here are 23 popular English idioms related to money to enrich your vocabulary:
1. A dime a dozen: This phrase means something is very common or easy to find.
Example: In Los Angeles, aspiring actors are a dime a dozen.
2. Break the bank: This means to cost too much or to exhaust one’s financial resources.
Example: I want a nice wedding, but I don’t want to break the bank.
3. Foot the bill: This means to pay for something, often something expensive.
Example: My parents offered to foot the bill for my college tuition.
4. Worth its weight in gold: This means something is very valuable.
Example: Good friends are worth their weight in gold.
5. Bring home the bacon: This means to earn money, especially for one’s family.
Example: Since I lost my job, my wife has been bringing home the bacon.
6. Tighten your belt: This means to spend less money.
Example: We’ve had to tighten our belts since I lost my job.
7. Money doesn’t grow on trees: This idiom is used to say that money is a resource that must be earned and is not easily acquired.
Example: I told my kids that money doesn’t grow on trees when they asked for expensive toys.
8. Flat broke: This means to have no money at all.
Example: After paying rent, I was flat broke.
9. A penny for your thoughts: This phrase is used to ask someone what they are thinking.
Example: You seem deep in thought, a penny for your thoughts?
10. A penny saved is a penny earned: This means that saving money is just as valuable as earning it.
Example: I try to remember that a penny saved is a penny earned and put a little money aside each month.
11. Pay an arm and a leg: This means to pay a lot for something.
Example: I paid an arm and a leg for this designer dress.
12. On the house: This means something is given away free, usually by a business.
Example: The first round of drinks is on the house.
13. Made of money: This refers to someone who has a lot of money.
Example: I can’t afford a new car, I’m not made of money!
14. Put your money where your mouth is: This means to prove the truth of one’s words by actions or other evidence.
Example: He said he could fix the car, so I told him to put his money where his mouth is.
15. Save for a rainy day: This means to save money for a time when it might be needed unexpectedly.
Example: It’s important to have some savings tucked away and save for a rainy day.
16. Spend money like water: This refers to spending money carelessly and excessively.
Example: After getting his first paycheck, he started spending money like water.
17. Throw money down the drain: This means to waste money on something useless.
Example: Buying a new phone every year is like throwing money down the drain.
18. Born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth: This means to be born into a wealthy family.
Example: He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth; he never had to worry about money.
19. Pay through the nose: This means to pay too much for something.
Example: We had to pay through the nose for the tickets to the concert.
20. As sound as a dollar: This idiom means to be reliable and dependable.
Example: You can trust him, he’s as sound as a dollar.
21. Not worth a red cent: This means something has no value.
Example: The old car is not worth a red cent but it has sentimental value to me.
22. Pinch pennies: This means to be careful with one’s money.
Example: We had to pinch pennies to make ends meet when we were students.
23. Live high on the hog: This refers to a person living a luxurious lifestyle.
Example: After winning the lottery, he lived high on the hog.
And there you have it! These money-related idioms can add a splash of color and intrigue to your English conversations. Remember, learning a language is a journey. Enjoy the process and have fun using these idioms!
