English Money Idioms: 13 Colorful Phrases About Cash
English Money Idioms: 13 Colorful Phrases About Cash
Money makes the world go around.
Whether you’re rich or poor, have a lot or a little, there are all sorts of idioms and expressions related to money and finances.
An idiom is a commonly used phrase that doesn’t really make sense if you take the words literally.
Today, we’re exploring 13 different money idioms, explaining what they mean.
Let’s dive into these cash-themed sayings and phrases!
1. Bread and Butter
This idiom refers to a reliable source of income – the money that you count on to cover basic needs like food, rent, etc.
For example, “Teaching is my bread and butter, but I do tutoring on the side for extra cash.”
2. Bring Home the Bacon
Similar to “bread and butter”, this means earning a reliable income or paycheck. It refers to the idea of a worker bringing home money (metaphorical bacon) to feed their family.
3. Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees
You’ve probably heard parents say this one to kids who constantly ask for toys or candy! It just means that money isn’t easy to come by and doesn’t magically appear, so you shouldn’t waste it.
4. Money Talks
This idiom suggests that money/wealth enables influence and power. As they say, “Money talks and nonsense walks.”
5. Cost an Arm and a Leg
When something is extremely expensive, far out of a reasonable price range, it’s said to “cost an arm and a leg”.
For example, “That sports car costs an arm and a leg – no way I could afford it!”
6. Money to Burn
Having “money to burn” means being extremely wealthy, rich enough to spend extravagantly without worrying about cost. It evokes the image of carelessly setting piles of cash on fire.
7. Born with a Silver Spoon in One’s Mouth
To be born into a wealthy family is described as being “born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth”. Silver utensils were once a sign of family wealth and privilege.
8. Break the Bank
If something “breaks the bank”, it costs so much money that it could theoretically bankrupt or financially ruin someone. It’s used as an exaggerated way to say something is extremely expensive.
9. Filthy Rich
When someone is extremely, extremely wealthy, they’re considered “filthy rich”. This visual phrase conjures images of having so much money it’s disgusting or unclean.
10. Money Doesn’t Buy Happiness
A classic saying reminding us that being wealthy doesn’t automatically lead to being fulfilled or content in life. Money has limits when it comes to life satisfaction.
Read more idioms:
- 30 Useful Business Idioms Explained Simply
- 30 Money Idioms Explained in English
- 30 Personality Idioms Explained in English
- C1 & C2 English Idioms
- C1 and C2 English Idioms to Use
11. Money Pit
A “money pit” is something that continually demands more and more money to maintain, like an old home that always needs expensive repairs. The pit symbolizes endless spending.
12. Pay Through the Nose
If you “pay through the nose” for something, it means you grossly overpaid and spent far too much money on it. The visual idiom suggests spending so much it’s painful.
13. Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
When someone boasts about their abilities or makes big claims, you can challenge them to “put their money where their mouth is” and back it up with cash wagers or other proof.
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That’s all about 13 money sayings and what they mean!
Money idioms can show off wealth, talk about prices, or even describe financial difficulties.
These phrases add some color to talking about money.
Money might be important, but these idioms make it more interesting to talk about!
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