In this guide, we’ll explore common money idioms used in British English. We’ll explain their meanings, provide examples, and offer exercises to help you practise.
Common Money Idioms and Their Meanings
Below is a list of common money idioms, their meanings, and examples of how to use them in sentences.
1. Cost an Arm and a Leg
- Meaning: Very expensive.
- Example: That luxury car costs an arm and a leg.
2. Break the Bank
- Meaning: To be very expensive; to use up all of one’s money.
- Example: We want to have a nice holiday without breaking the bank.
3. On the House
- Meaning: Free of charge.
- Example: The dessert is on the house tonight.
4. Cash Cow
- Meaning: A product or service that makes a lot of money.
- Example: The new smartphone has become the company’s cash cow.
5. Pay Through the Nose
- Meaning: To pay a high price.
- Example: You’ll pay through the nose for tickets to that concert.
6. Nest Egg
- Meaning: Savings set aside for future use.
- Example: They have a nest egg for their retirement.
7. Foot the Bill
- Meaning: To pay for something, often something expensive.
- Example: His parents footed the bill for his education.
8. Cheapskate
- Meaning: A person who is unwilling to spend money.
- Example: Don’t be such a cheapskate; buy her a nice gift.
9. Tighten Your Belt
- Meaning: To spend less money than usual.
- Example: We’ll have to tighten our belts now that I’m unemployed.
10. Make Ends Meet
- Meaning: To have just enough money to pay for basic expenses.
- Example: With the rising costs, it’s hard to make ends meet.
11. Money Talks
- Meaning: Wealth has influence.
- Example: In politics, money talks.
12. Born with a Silver Spoon in One’s Mouth
- Meaning: Born into a wealthy family.
- Example: He doesn’t understand hard work; he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
13. Penny-Pincher
- Meaning: Someone who is very careful with money.
- Example: She’s a real penny-pincher when it comes to shopping.
14. Dirt Cheap
- Meaning: Very inexpensive.
- Example: I bought these shoes dirt cheap at the sale.
15. Bring Home the Bacon
- Meaning: To earn money to support a family.
- Example: She works hard to bring home the bacon.
16. Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees
- Meaning: Money is not easily obtained.
- Example: I can’t buy you that toy; money doesn’t grow on trees.
17. Money for Old Rope
- Meaning: Money earned with little effort.
- Example: Selling handmade crafts online is money for old rope.
18. Get Bang for Your Buck
- Meaning: To get good value for the money spent.
- Example: This budget laptop gives you a lot of bang for your buck.
19. Daylight Robbery
- Meaning: Blatant overcharging.
- Example: £5 for a cup of coffee? That’s daylight robbery!
20. Golden Handshake
- Meaning: A large sum of money given to someone when they leave a job.
- Example: He left the company with a golden handshake.
21. In the Red
- Meaning: In debt; losing money.
- Example: The company has been in the red for two years.
22. In the Black
- Meaning: Profitable; not in debt.
- Example: We’re finally in the black after last quarter’s sales.
23. Nest Egg
- Meaning: Savings for future use.
- Example: They have a sizeable nest egg for emergencies.
24. Pay Peanuts
- Meaning: To pay very little.
- Example: That job isn’t worth it; they pay peanuts.
25. Rainy Day Fund
- Meaning: Money saved for unforeseen expenses.
- Example: It’s wise to have a rainy day fund.
26. On a Shoestring
- Meaning: With a very small amount of money.
- Example: They travelled around Europe on a shoestring.
27. A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned
- Meaning: Saving money is just as important as earning it.
- Example: Try to reduce expenses—a penny saved is a penny earned.
28. Time is Money
- Meaning: Time is valuable, so don’t waste it.
- Example: Let’s get started; time is money.
29. Cash in On
- Meaning: To profit from something.
- Example: They’re cashing in on the latest fashion trend.
30. Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
- Meaning: Support your words with actions or money.
- Example: If you think it’s a good investment, put your money where your mouth is.
31. Keep the Wolf from the Door
- Meaning: To have enough money to avoid going hungry.
- Example: This part-time job helps keep the wolf from the door.
32. Bet Your Bottom Dollar
- Meaning: To be certain about something.
- Example: You can bet your bottom dollar he’ll be late.
33. Bread and Butter
- Meaning: One’s main source of income.
- Example: Writing is her bread and butter.
34. Feather One’s Nest
- Meaning: To make oneself rich, sometimes dishonestly.
- Example: He was accused of feathering his own nest with company funds.
35. Go Dutch
- Meaning: Each person pays for themselves.
- Example: Let’s go Dutch on the dinner bill.
36. Gravy Train
- Meaning: A way of making money with little effort.
- Example: His consulting job is a real gravy train.
37. Nest Egg
- Meaning: Savings set aside for future use.
- Example: They’re building a nest egg for their children’s education.
38. Throw Money Down the Drain
- Meaning: To waste money.
- Example: Buying cheap tools is throwing money down the drain.
39. Cash-Strapped
- Meaning: Lacking money.
- Example: After the holiday, I’m a bit cash-strapped.
40. Penny for Your Thoughts
- Meaning: Asking someone what they are thinking.
- Example: You seem quiet—a penny for your thoughts?
41. For a Song
- Meaning: Very cheaply.
- Example: I bought this antique chair for a song.
42. Worth Its Weight in Gold
- Meaning: Very valuable.
- Example: Her advice is worth its weight in gold.
43. Be Flat Broke
- Meaning: To have no money at all.
- Example: I’m flat broke until payday.
44. Easy Money
- Meaning: Money obtained with little effort.
- Example: Selling those old books was easy money.
45. Made of Money
- Meaning: Very wealthy.
- Example: I can’t afford that car—I’m not made of money.
46. Money Burns a Hole in One’s Pocket
- Meaning: Feeling the urge to spend money quickly.
- Example: His allowance burns a hole in his pocket.
47. Tighten One’s Purse Strings
- Meaning: To reduce spending.
- Example: We’ll have to tighten our purse strings this month.
48. Put in One’s Two Cents
- Meaning: To give one’s opinion.
- Example: Can I put in my two cents on this topic?
49. To Be Quids In
- Meaning: To make a profit.
- Example: If this deal works out, we’ll be quids in.
50. Born with a Silver Spoon in One’s Mouth
- Meaning: Born into wealth.
- Example: She doesn’t understand hardship; she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
Exercises: Practise Money Idioms
Test your understanding with these exercises.
Exercise 1: Match the Idiom to Its Meaning
Match each idiom with its correct meaning.
a) Cost an arm and a leg
b) Tighten your belt
c) Break the bank
d) Money talks
e) Go Dutch
f) Born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth
g) Make ends meet
h) Pay through the nose
i) Nest egg
j) Money doesn’t grow on trees
- To be very expensive
- To spend less money
- To share the cost equally
- To have enough money to pay for expenses
- To pay a lot of money
- Savings set aside
- Wealth influences people
- Born into wealth
- Very expensive; use up all money
- Money is not easily obtained
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct money idiom.
- I can’t afford that designer bag; it ________.
- After losing his job, they had to ________.
- Let’s ________ on the taxi fare.
- She was ________; she never had to work.
- They have a ________ for emergencies.
Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Idiom
Select the best idiom to complete each sentence.
- Buying second-hand clothes is a way to ________.a) throw money down the drain
b) tighten your belt
c) have money burn a hole in your pocket - He invested wisely and is now ________.a) in the red
b) quids in
c) cash-strapped - The cost of housing these days is ________.a) dirt cheap
b) money for old rope
c) daylight robbery
Exercise 4: Idiom Identification
Identify the idiom in each sentence and explain its meaning.
- “She bought her new phone for a song.”
- “I can’t lend you money again; I’m flat broke.”
- “His parents always foot the bill for his expenses.”
Exercise 5: Create Your Own Sentences
Use the following idioms in your own sentences:
- Cost an arm and a leg
- Money doesn’t grow on trees
- Tighten your belt
- On the house
- Make ends meet
Answers
Exercise 1: Match the Idiom to Its Meaning
a) Cost an arm and a leg – 1. To be very expensive
b) Tighten your belt – 2. To spend less money
c) Break the bank – 9. Very expensive; use up all money
d) Money talks – 7. Wealth influences people
e) Go Dutch – 3. To share the cost equally
f) Born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth – 8. Born into wealth
g) Make ends meet – 4. To have enough money to pay for expenses
h) Pay through the nose – 5. To pay a lot of money
i) Nest egg – 6. Savings set aside
j) Money doesn’t grow on trees – 10. Money is not easily obtained
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
- I can’t afford that designer bag; it costs an arm and a leg.
- After losing his job, they had to tighten their belts.
- Let’s go Dutch on the taxi fare.
- She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth; she never had to work.
- They have a nest egg for emergencies.
Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Idiom
- Buying second-hand clothes is a way to tighten your belt.
- He invested wisely and is now quids in.
- The cost of housing these days is daylight robbery.
Exercise 4: Idiom Identification
- “She bought her new phone for a song.”
- Idiom: For a song
- Meaning: Very cheaply.
- “I can’t lend you money again; I’m flat broke.”
- Idiom: Flat broke
- Meaning: To have no money at all.
- “His parents always foot the bill for his expenses.”
- Idiom: Foot the bill
- Meaning: To pay for something.
Exercise 5: Create Your Own Sentences
Answers will vary. Here are some examples:
- That holiday package costs an arm and a leg, but it’s worth it.
- You can’t have every toy you see; money doesn’t grow on trees.
- We’ll need to tighten our belts if we’re going to save for a car.
- The drinks were on the house at the event.
- With high rent and bills, it’s hard to make ends meet.
Feel free to ask any questions, share your thoughts, or write your own sentences using money idioms in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!