Sometimes people want more than they need. This is called greed. Greed can show up in many ways like grabbing all the cookies, keeping money just for yourself, or always wanting the biggest prize. People in books, movies, or real life can act greedy, and there are special sayings, or idioms, that describe this kind of behavior.
Idioms are short phrases that don’t always mean what the words say. For example, if someone is “money-hungry,” it doesn’t mean they want to eat cash it means they always want more money. In this article, you’ll learn idioms that describe greed. Each one will include its meaning and a short example to help you understand it.
Idioms for Greed
1. Avarice
Meaning: Wanting more money or things than you need.
Sample Sentences: His avarice made him save every penny and never share. / The businessman’s avarice kept him from helping others.
Other Way to Say: Greedy / Money-hungry
2. Greedy as a pig
Meaning: Wanting to take or eat a lot more than is fair.
Sample Sentences: He grabbed all the snacks greedy as a pig. / She was greedy as a pig when she took the whole cake.
Other Way to Say: Very greedy / Taking too much
3. Money-hungry
Meaning: Always wanting money no matter what.
Sample Sentences: The company was money-hungry and never cared about the workers. / He is money-hungry and will do anything for cash.
Other Way to Say: Greedy for money / Only cares about money
4. Grab all the marbles
Meaning: Trying to get everything for yourself.
Sample Sentences: Don’t try to grab all the marbles share with your friends. / She wanted to grab all the marbles in the game.
Other Way to Say: Take everything / Keep it all for yourself
5. Take more than your share
Meaning: Taking more than what is fair or needed.
Sample Sentences: He took more than his share of cookies from the jar. / Don’t take more than your share of the toys.
Other Way to Say: Being selfish / Taking too much
6. Eat like a bird, want like a hog
Meaning: Wanting a lot even though you don’t eat much.
Sample Sentences: She eats like a bird but wants like a hog when it comes to gifts. / Some kids eat little but want many toys like eating like a bird and wanting like a hog.
Other Way to Say: Wanting too much / Always asking for more
7. Greedy guts
Meaning: Someone who always wants more food or things.
Sample Sentences: Don’t be a greedy guts and save some cake for others. / He’s such a greedy guts when it comes to snacks.
Other Way to Say: Gluttonous / Always wanting more
8. Hoard like a squirrel
Meaning: Saving or collecting things in large amounts and not sharing.
Sample Sentences: He hoards his money like a squirrel with nuts. / She hoards toys and doesn’t let anyone play with them.
Other Way to Say: Save a lot / Keep everything
9. Clawing for cash
Meaning: Trying hard to get money, sometimes unfairly.
Sample Sentences: The salesman was clawing for cash with every customer. / She’s always clawing for cash, even if it means being rude.
Other Way to Say: Chasing money / Wanting money badly
10. Tight-fisted
Meaning: Not willing to spend or share money.
Sample Sentences: My uncle is tight-fisted and never buys gifts. / She’s tight-fisted and keeps her money hidden.
Other Way to Say: Stingy / Not generous
11. Money doesn’t grow on trees
Meaning: Money is not easy to get, so don’t waste it.
Sample Sentences: Remember, money doesn’t grow on trees, so save some. / Don’t buy too many toys money doesn’t grow on trees.
Other Way to Say: Money is precious / Be careful with money
12. Filthy rich
Meaning: Having a lot of money, sometimes too much.
Sample Sentences: The movie star is filthy rich and buys big houses. / He became filthy rich by selling his inventions.
Other Way to Say: Very rich / Loaded with money
13. Money grabbing
Meaning: Always trying to get more money.
Sample Sentences: The store is money grabbing, charging too much for simple things. / He’s money grabbing and never wants to share profits.
Other Way to Say: Greedy for money / Always wants more cash
14. Penny pincher
Meaning: Someone who tries not to spend money.
Sample Sentences: She’s a penny pincher and won’t buy snacks at school. / My dad is a penny pincher when shopping.
Other Way to Say: Cheap / Frugal
15. Greedy beaver
Meaning: Someone who works hard but also wants too much.
Sample Sentences: He’s a greedy beaver trying to get all the credit at work. / Don’t be a greedy beaver and share the prize.
Other Way to Say: Overly eager / Wants it all
16. Take the lion’s share
Meaning: Taking the biggest or best part for yourself.
Sample Sentences: He took the lion’s share of the money after the sale. / Don’t always take the lion’s share; leave some for others.
Other Way to Say: Take most / Keep the biggest part
17. Greedy as a wolf
Meaning: Very greedy and eager to take everything.
Sample Sentences: The kids were greedy as wolves at the candy store. / He’s greedy as a wolf and never shares.
Other Way to Say: Very greedy / Always wants more
18. Chasing the green
Meaning: Always trying to get money.
Sample Sentences: He’s chasing the green and working many jobs. / Some people chase the green and forget to rest.
Other Way to Say: Pursuing money / After the cash
19. Take it all in
Meaning: Taking everything without sharing.
Sample Sentences: She took it all in and didn’t leave any for her friends. / Don’t take it all in; others want some too.
Other Way to Say: Grab everything / Keep it all
20. Grasping at straws
Meaning: Trying hard to get something, sometimes unfairly.
Sample Sentences: He was grasping at straws to get more money. / Don’t grasp at straws and cheat to win.
Other Way to Say: Trying too hard / Clutching for more
21. Fat cat
Meaning: A rich person who has a lot of money and power.
Sample Sentences: The fat cat owns many big companies in the city. / People say the fat cat doesn’t care about poor workers.
Other Way to Say: Wealthy person / Big boss
22. Grab the gold
Meaning: To get the best or most valuable thing.
Sample Sentences: She grabbed the gold prize at the science fair. / He wanted to grab the gold in the game.
Other Way to Say: Win the best / Take the top prize
23. Greedy like a fox
Meaning: Being sneaky to get what you want.
Sample Sentences: He’s greedy like a fox, always finding ways to get more candy. / The fox is greedy in stories because it wants everything.
Other Way to Say: Sneaky and greedy / Clever but selfish
24. All bark and no bite
Meaning: Someone who talks a lot about wanting things but does not really take action.
Sample Sentences: He said he wanted more money but never tried he’s all bark and no bite. / Don’t be all bark and no bite; work for what you want.
Other Way to Say: Talk but no action / Only words, no deeds
25. Take the cake
Meaning: To be the most greedy or to do something the most extreme.
Sample Sentences: She took the cake by eating three whole pizzas alone. / That’s really taking the cake for being greedy!
Other Way to Say: Most greedy / Top of the list
26. Eat up all the pie
Meaning: To use or take all the resources or money.
Sample Sentences: He ate up all the pie and left none for his siblings. / Don’t eat up all the pie; save some for others.
Other Way to Say: Take everything / Use all the resources
27. Hoard like a dragon
Meaning: Keeping a lot of valuable things and not sharing.
Sample Sentences: She hoards toys like a dragon guards gold. / Dragons in stories hoard treasure and never share.
Other Way to Say: Keep everything / Guard possessions
28. Chase the dollars
Meaning: Always trying to earn or get money.
Sample Sentences: He’s chasing the dollars to buy a new bike. / Some adults chase the dollars all day long.
Other Way to Say: After money / Pursue cash
29. Take it to the bank
Meaning: To be sure to get money or benefit.
Sample Sentences: You can take it to the bank that he wants more money. / This deal is good; take it to the bank.
Other Way to Say: Be certain / Count on it
30. Money talks
Meaning: Money has the power to influence people.
Sample Sentences: Money talks in business and politics. / When you have money, money talks and you get what you want.
Other Way to Say: Money rules / Money controls
31. Greedy fingers
Meaning: Wanting to take things that are not yours.
Sample Sentences: Keep an eye on your lunch; greedy fingers might grab it. / The thief has greedy fingers, taking what isn’t his.
Other Way to Say: Sneaky hands / Wanting to steal
32. Take more than the crumbs
Meaning: Taking more than the small or fair part.
Sample Sentences: Don’t just take the crumbs ask for what you deserve. / He took more than the crumbs from the meal.
Other Way to Say: Take a big share / Don’t settle for less
33. Nickel and dime
Meaning: To be very careful about small amounts of money, sometimes in a greedy way.
Sample Sentences: The store nickels and dimes customers with extra fees. / She nickels and dimes everyone when splitting the bill.
Other Way to Say: Charge little by little / Be stingy about money
34. Clutching at coins
Meaning: Holding on tightly to money.
Sample Sentences: He’s always clutching at coins and never spends them. / The old man was clutching at coins in his pocket.
Other Way to Say: Holding money tight / Not letting go of cash
35. Eat your cake and have it too
Meaning: Wanting to keep something while also using it all.
Sample Sentences: She wanted to eat her cake and have it too by using all the money but not working. / You can’t eat your cake and have it too with the toys.
Other Way to Say: Want it both ways / Have all and use all
36. Grab with both hands
Meaning: Taking something eagerly and fully.
Sample Sentences: He grabbed the chance with both hands. / She grabbed the last cookie with both hands.
Other Way to Say: Take quickly / Seize fully
37. Stash the cash
Meaning: Hide or keep money secretly.
Sample Sentences: He stashed the cash under his bed. / She stashes her allowance in a jar.
Other Way to Say: Hide money / Save secretly
38. Cutthroat
Meaning: Very greedy and willing to hurt others to get ahead.
Sample Sentences: The business is cutthroat, and people fight for every dollar. / He’s a cutthroat competitor who cheats.
Other Way to Say: Ruthless / Very greedy
39. Throw money around
Meaning: Spend money carelessly.
Sample Sentences: He throws money around on expensive toys. / Don’t throw money around if you want to save.
Other Way to Say: Spend freely / Waste money
40. Fish for compliments
Meaning: Trying to get praise or rewards by acting greedy or needy.
Sample Sentences: She fishes for compliments by showing off her new shoes. / Don’t fish for compliments; be proud quietly.
Other Way to Say: Seek praise / Ask for attention
41. Grab and run
Meaning: Take something quickly without thinking about others.
Sample Sentences: The kids grabbed and ran with all the candy. / Don’t grab and run share with your friends.
Other Way to Say: Take fast / Run off with
42. Penny wise, pound foolish
Meaning: Being careful with small money but wasteful with big money.
Sample Sentences: She’s penny wise but pound foolish by saving on snacks but breaking her bike. / Don’t be penny wise, pound foolish with your allowance.
Other Way to Say: Careful with little, wasteful with big / Not smart with money
43. Money grabbing hands
Meaning: Hands that always want money or to take it.
Sample Sentences: The greedy man has money grabbing hands. / Don’t trust money grabbing hands in the store.
Other Way to Say: Greedy hands / Always want money
44. Hoarding treasure
Meaning: Keeping valuable things for yourself.
Sample Sentences: He’s hoarding treasure in his room. / Pirates are known for hoarding treasure.
Other Way to Say: Keeping valuables / Saving a lot
45. Grab the goodies
Meaning: Take the nice or best things.
Sample Sentences: She grabbed the goodies from the party first. / Don’t grab the goodies without asking.
Other Way to Say: Take the best / Snatch the treats
46. Eat up the profits
Meaning: Take all the money made.
Sample Sentences: The boss eats up the profits and pays workers little. / Don’t let him eat up the profits alone.
Other Way to Say: Take all the money / Keep the earnings
47. Like a magpie
Meaning: Like a bird that collects shiny things, meaning very greedy for things.
Sample Sentences: She’s like a magpie, always collecting shiny toys. / Kids can be like magpies when they want all the sparkly things.
Other Way to Say: Collecting everything / Greedy for shiny stuff
48. Skim the cream
Meaning: Take the best part for yourself.
Sample Sentences: He skimmed the cream off the profits. / Don’t skim the cream; share with others.
Other Way to Say: Take the best part / Keep the top portion
49. Grab the loot
Meaning: Take the money or goods quickly.
Sample Sentences: The pirates grabbed the loot and ran. / He grabbed the loot from the store shelf.
Other Way to Say: Take the treasure / Seize the goods
50. Greedy hands
Meaning: Hands that want to take everything.
Sample Sentences: Watch out for greedy hands at the market. / Don’t be greedy hands when sharing.
Other Way to Say: Wanting hands / Taking hands
51. Hoard like a hamster
Meaning: Keep things stored up and not share.
Sample Sentences: He hoards snacks like a hamster in his cage. / Some kids hoard toys like hamsters store food.
Other Way to Say: Save a lot / Keep everything
52. Take the pie
Meaning: Take a share, often the biggest one.
Sample Sentences: He wants to take the pie at work. / Don’t take the pie without asking.
Other Way to Say: Take the share / Keep the portion
53. Money-grubber
Meaning: Someone who tries too hard to get money.
Sample Sentences: The money-grubber always asks for more allowance. / Don’t be a money-grubber; share with friends.
Other Way to Say: Greedy for money / Always wanting cash
54. Keep all the spoils
Meaning: Take all the rewards or goods after winning.
Sample Sentences: He kept all the spoils after the game. / Don’t keep all the spoils; share with the team.
Other Way to Say: Take all the rewards / Keep all the prizes
55. Grab the jackpot
Meaning: Win or take a large amount of money or prize.
Sample Sentences: She grabbed the jackpot in the lottery. / He wants to grab the jackpot in the contest.
Other Way to Say: Win big / Take the big prize
Multiple Choice Quiz: Idioms for Greed
1. What does “money-hungry” mean?
A) Always wants to eat money
B) Always wants more money
C) Saves money carefully
2. If someone “eats like a horse,” what are they doing?
A) Eating a lot
B) Eating slowly
C) Feeding a horse
3. “Grabby hands” means someone who:
A) Has sticky fingers
B) Keeps reaching for things
C) Likes to wash their hands
4. What does “have your cake and eat it too” mean?
A) You want everything without giving anything up
B) You’re baking a cake
C) You love dessert
5. If someone takes “the lion’s share,” what are they doing?
A) Giving everyone an equal part
B) Taking the biggest part
C) Sharing a little
6. “All take and no give” means a person:
A) Takes more and gives nothing back
B) Always gives presents
C) Is quiet in class
7. If a person has “sticky fingers,” what are they likely to do?
A) Drop things often
B) Take things that aren’t theirs
C) Eat messy food
8. What does “me-first attitude” describe?
A) Someone who always wants to go first
B) A polite person
C) Someone who helps friends
9. “Wants the biggest slice” means someone:
A) Loves to bake
B) Only eats tiny pieces
C) Always wants the most
10. If someone is “clutching to things,” what are they doing?
A) Letting others borrow stuff
B) Holding on tightly and not sharing
C) Dropping everything
11. What does “just can’t say no” mean in a greedy way?
A) Always turns things down
B) Refuses to share
C) Always wants more, even when it’s too much
12. “Snatches things up” means a person is:
A) Taking things quickly before others can
B) Making crafts
C) Waiting their turn
Answer Key
- B – Always wants more money
- A – Eating a lot
- B – Keeps reaching for things
- A – You want everything without giving anything up
- B – Taking the biggest part
- A – Takes more and gives nothing back
- B – Take things that aren’t theirs
- A – Someone who always wants to go first
- C – Always wants the most
- B – Holding on tightly and not sharing
- C – Always wants more, even when it’s too much
- A – Taking things quickly before others can
Scoring Guide
- 12 Correct Answers: Love Idiom Master! You really understand these sayings.
- 8–11 Correct Answers: Well on your way to understanding love idioms. Keep it up!
- 4–7 Correct Answers: Room for improvement, but you’re getting there!
- 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s explore these idioms together. You’ll get better with practice.
Conclusion
Greed can show up in big or small ways. Idioms help us talk about greedy actions in a fun and simple way. When someone grabs too much or doesn’t share, there’s usually a saying that fits.
Now that you’ve learned these idioms, you’ll notice them more often in books, shows, or even in real life. Remember, sharing and thinking of others matters more than getting the most.
