Idioms about Money

This is lesson 18 from Idiom Part 3. Each idiom is followed by its definition and examples. After you learn them, you can use them in your daily conversation.

 

Previous English Idiom Lesson

In our previous English idiom lesson, we cover below:

Idioms Related To Misunderstanding

 

English Idiom Part 3- Lesson 18- Idioms about Money

1- Save for a rainy day = To set aside money or resources for a time when they may be needed unexpectedly

I always save a bit of money for a rainy day in case of emergencies.

 

2- Spends money like there’s no tomorrow = to spend money recklessly without thinking of future consequences.

She spends money like there’s no tomorrow, buying designer clothes every week.

 

3- Piles of money = A large amount of money.

He must have piles of money to afford a new sports car every year.

 

4- Time is money = Time is valuable, and wasting time is the same as wasting money.

Let’s not waste time because time is money in this business.

 

5- Plough money into = To invest a lot of money into something, often continuously.

They’ve ploughed money into the new App development, hoping it will take off.

 

6- Living on the breadline = Having very little money to live on.

After losing his job, he was living on the breadline for months.

 

7- My account’s in the red = Having a negative bank balance or being overdrawn.

I checked my balance this morning and saw that my account’s in the red again.

 

8- Enough to get by on = Just enough money to survive or meet basic needs.

Her part-time job pays enough to get by on, but not much more.

 

9- A bit hard up = Having little money, especially temporarily.

I’m a bit hard up this month after paying all the bills.

 

10- Not very well off = Not having much money; financially limited.

They’re not very well off, but they afford to have a short trip annually.

 

11- Can’t make ends meet = Not having enough money to pay for basic expenses.

With rising prices, many families can’t make ends meet anymore.

 

12- Without a penny to his name = Having no money at all.

After the business failed, he was without a penny to his name.

 

13- Living from hand to mouth = Living with just enough money to survive, without saving any.

They’ve been living from hand to mouth since the factory closed.

 

Next English Idiom Lesson

In our next English idiom lesson, we cover below:

Idioms Related To Moods

 

Related Idioms

Here is the list of idioms related to this lesson.

 

Idiom Part 1 Outline

If you wish to explore all lessons that are covered in HiCafe Idiom Part 1, you can visit the Essential and Popular English idioms- Part 1 page.

 

English Fluency Resources

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