Money is something we hear about almost every day. People use money to buy food, clothes, toys, and other things they need or want. Because money is such a big part of life, there are many expressions or phrases that talk about it in fun and creative ways. These expressions are called idioms.
Idioms don’t always mean exactly what the words say. For example, if someone says, “money doesn’t grow on trees,” they don’t mean you can find dollar bills on a tree. They mean money is not easy to get. In this lesson, you will learn some common money idioms, what they mean, and how to use them. Understanding these idioms can help you speak and write more clearly and make your language more interesting.
Idioms for Money
1. Break the bank
Meaning: To spend all your money or more than you can afford.
Sample Sentences: Buying that new video game might break the bank. / We want to go on vacation but don’t want to break the bank.
Other Way to Say: Spend too much money / Use all your money
2. Cash cow
Meaning: Something that makes a lot of money easily.
Sample Sentences: The bakery is a cash cow for our family. / That store has been a cash cow since it opened.
Other Way to Say: Money maker / Big earner
3. Pay through the nose
Meaning: To pay a very high price for something.
Sample Sentences: We had to pay through the nose for concert tickets. / They pay through the nose for parking downtown.
Other Way to Say: Pay too much / Overpay
4. Money talks
Meaning: Money can influence people or get things done.
Sample Sentences: When it comes to business, money talks. / He got the job because money talks.
Other Way to Say: Money has power / Money gets results
5. Bring home the bacon
Meaning: To earn money for your family.
Sample Sentences: Dad works hard to bring home the bacon. / She brings home the bacon by working two jobs.
Other Way to Say: Earn money / Provide for family
6. Nest egg
Meaning: Money saved for the future.
Sample Sentences: They built a nest egg for their kids’ college. / I am saving a nest egg for a new car.
Other Way to Say: Savings / Money put aside
7. In the red
Meaning: Owing money or losing money.
Sample Sentences: Our business was in the red last month. / I don’t want to be in the red after shopping.
Other Way to Say: Losing money / In debt
8. In the black
Meaning: Making money or having money left after expenses.
Sample Sentences: The company is finally in the black. / We were in the black after selling our old toys.
Other Way to Say: Making a profit / Financially okay
9. Make a killing
Meaning: To earn a lot of money quickly.
Sample Sentences: He made a killing selling lemonade at the fair. / The new app made the company a killing.
Other Way to Say: Earn a lot fast / Make big money
10. Cut corners
Meaning: To do something the cheapest or easiest way, often losing quality.
Sample Sentences: They cut corners on the house repairs and now it leaks. / Don’t cut corners when buying a bike.
Other Way to Say: Do cheaply / Save money but lower quality
11. Tighten your belt
Meaning: To spend less money because you don’t have much.
Sample Sentences: After buying the new phone, we had to tighten our belts. / We need to tighten our belts until payday.
Other Way to Say: Spend less / Save money
12. Penny pincher
Meaning: Someone who is very careful with their money.
Sample Sentences: My grandma is a penny pincher who loves sales. / Don’t be a penny pincher; sometimes it’s okay to spend.
Other Way to Say: Frugal person / Saver
13. Blow money
Meaning: To spend money quickly and carelessly.
Sample Sentences: He blew money on video games last weekend. / Don’t blow your money on snacks every day.
Other Way to Say: Spend carelessly / Waste money
14. Dough
Meaning: Slang for money.
Sample Sentences: I need some dough to buy lunch. / She makes good dough from her job.
Other Way to Say: Money / Cash
15. Make ends meet
Meaning: To have just enough money to live on.
Sample Sentences: After rent, it’s hard to make ends meet. / They work two jobs to make ends meet.
Other Way to Say: Manage money / Get by financially
16. Loaded
Meaning: Having a lot of money.
Sample Sentences: He is loaded after winning the lottery. / That family is loaded and owns several cars.
Other Way to Say: Rich / Wealthy
17. Put your money where your mouth is
Meaning: To back up your words by spending money or taking action.
Sample Sentences: If you think it will work, put your money where your mouth is. / She put her money where her mouth is and started a business.
Other Way to Say: Prove it with money / Act on your words
18. Rainy day fund
Meaning: Money saved for emergencies.
Sample Sentences: I keep some money in my rainy day fund just in case. / We should save for a rainy day fund for car repairs.
Other Way to Say: Emergency savings / Backup money
19. Rolling in money
Meaning: Having a lot of money.
Sample Sentences: After his raise, he’s rolling in money. / They must be rolling in money to afford that house.
Other Way to Say: Very rich / Wealthy
20. Take it to the bank
Meaning: You can be sure something is true or will happen.
Sample Sentences: His promise is solidyou can take it to the bank. / You can take it to the bank that she will help.
Other Way to Say: Be sure / Count on it
21. Tight-fisted
Meaning: Not willing to spend money; very stingy.
Sample Sentences: He’s tight-fisted and never buys gifts. / Don’t be so tight-fisted with your friends.
Other Way to Say: Stingy / Cheap
22. Worth its weight in gold
Meaning: Very valuable.
Sample Sentences: That old book is worth its weight in gold. / Her advice was worth its weight in gold.
Other Way to Say: Very valuable / Priceless
23. Nest egg
Meaning: Money saved for the future.
Sample Sentences: They built a nest egg for retirement. / I am saving a nest egg to buy a car.
Other Way to Say: Savings / Money saved
24. Pay off
Meaning: To finish paying money owed.
Sample Sentences: I will pay off my bike next month. / They paid off their house last year.
Other Way to Say: Finish paying / Clear debt
25. Shell out
Meaning: To pay money, often unwillingly.
Sample Sentences: I had to shell out a lot for the broken phone. / We shelled out money for the tickets.
Other Way to Say: Spend / Pay up
26. Foot the bill
Meaning: To pay for something, often a big expense.
Sample Sentences: Mom had to foot the bill for the repairs. / He footed the bill for dinner last night.
Other Way to Say: Pay the cost / Cover expenses
27. Get your money’s worth
Meaning: To get good value for the money spent.
Sample Sentences: That game was expensive, but I got my money’s worth. / I always try to get my money’s worth when shopping.
Other Way to Say: Good value / Worth the cost
28. Big bucks
Meaning: A lot of money.
Sample Sentences: He makes big bucks working as a doctor. / That video game costs big bucks.
Other Way to Say: Lots of money / Big money
29. Loaded
Meaning: Very rich.
Sample Sentences: After winning the contest, she’s loaded. / They must be loaded to own three houses.
Other Way to Say: Wealthy / Rich
30. Money to burn
Meaning: To have extra money to spend freely.
Sample Sentences: They have money to burn and bought a new car. / I don’t have money to burn right now.
Other Way to Say: Extra money / Spare cash
31. Break even
Meaning: To neither make a profit nor lose money.
Sample Sentences: The lemonade stand broke even after selling all cups. / We just broke even after the school fundraiser.
Other Way to Say: Neither lose nor gain / Balance
32. Cash in
Meaning: To get money from something valuable.
Sample Sentences: She cashed in her old toys at the garage sale. / He cashed in his points for a prize.
Other Way to Say: Get money / Exchange for cash
33. On a shoestring budget
Meaning: To do something with very little money.
Sample Sentences: We traveled on a shoestring budget and stayed in cheap hotels. / I made dinner on a shoestring budget.
Other Way to Say: With little money / Cheaply
34. Money doesn’t grow on trees
Meaning: Money is not easy to get and should be used carefully.
Sample Sentences: Don’t waste money; money doesn’t grow on trees. / You have to work hard because money doesn’t grow on trees.
Other Way to Say: Money is precious / Money is hard to get
35. Nickel and dime
Meaning: To slowly lose small amounts of money.
Sample Sentences: The small fees nickel and dime me every month. / Don’t nickel and dime me with extra charges.
Other Way to Say: Charge little by little / Small costs add up
36. Money-spinner
Meaning: Something that makes a lot of money.
Sample Sentences: The new shop is a money-spinner for the owner. / The movie turned out to be a money-spinner.
Other Way to Say: Big earner / Cash maker
37. Easy money
Meaning: Money that is made without much effort.
Sample Sentences: Selling lemonade was easy money for us. / The game gave me easy money with little work.
Other Way to Say: Simple earnings / Quick cash
38. Put your money where your mouth is
Meaning: To support what you say by spending money or acting.
Sample Sentences: If you think it’s a good idea, put your money where your mouth is. / He put his money where his mouth is and helped the team.
Other Way to Say: Back your words / Act on your talk
39. Penny wise, pound foolish
Meaning: Being careful with small amounts of money but wasteful with large amounts.
Sample Sentences: She was penny wise but pound foolish by buying cheap shoes that broke fast. / Don’t be penny wise, pound foolish when it comes to your car.
Other Way to Say: Careful with small money but wasteful overall / Bad money decisions
40. Cash strapped
Meaning: Having little or no money available.
Sample Sentences: After the bills, we are cash strapped this month. / The family was cash strapped after the repairs.
Other Way to Say: Low on money / Short of cash
41. Money for jam
Meaning: Easy money or an easy way to earn.
Sample Sentences: Selling cookies was money for jam. / That job pays money for jam.
Other Way to Say: Easy earnings / Simple money
42. Show me the money
Meaning: A demand to see proof of payment or money.
Sample Sentences: He said, “Show me the money!” before starting work. / The client wanted to see the money first.
Other Way to Say: Prove you will pay / Show payment
43. Money burns a hole in your pocket
Meaning: To want to spend money as soon as you get it.
Sample Sentences: He spends fast because money burns a hole in his pocket. / My allowance burns a hole in my pocket every week.
Other Way to Say: Spend quickly / Can’t save money
44. Easy come, easy go
Meaning: Money earned easily is often spent quickly.
Sample Sentences: I won some money but lost it the same day. Easy come, easy go. / His earnings are easy come, easy go.
Other Way to Say: Money gained fast is spent fast / No saving
45. On the house
Meaning: Something given for free by a business.
Sample Sentences: The restaurant gave us dessert on the house. / Drinks were on the house at the party.
Other Way to Say: Free / No charge
46. Bring down the house
Meaning: To make a lot of money or have great success.
Sample Sentences: The concert brought down the house with ticket sales. / The show brought down the house with applause and money.
Other Way to Say: Big success / Great earnings
47. Foot the bill
Meaning: To pay for something.
Sample Sentences: Dad footed the bill for our family dinner. / She footed the bill for the movie tickets.
Other Way to Say: Pay / Cover costs
48. Strike it rich
Meaning: To suddenly get a lot of money.
Sample Sentences: They struck it rich after selling their idea. / He struck it rich in the lottery.
Other Way to Say: Get rich fast / Make a lot suddenly
49. Cold hard cash
Meaning: Actual money in bills and coins.
Sample Sentences: I paid with cold hard cash for the bike. / They wanted cold hard cash, not a check.
Other Way to Say: Real money / Physical cash
50. Money doesn’t grow on trees
Meaning: Money is not easy to get and should be spent carefully.
Sample Sentences: Don’t waste your allowance; money doesn’t grow on trees. / Remember, money doesn’t grow on trees, so save some.
Other Way to Say: Money is precious / Money is hard to earn
51. Make a fast buck
Meaning: To earn money quickly, often in a way that is not lasting.
Sample Sentences: He made a fast buck selling old toys. / The scheme promised a fast buck but was risky.
Other Way to Say: Earn money quickly / Quick profit
52. Make bank
Meaning: To earn a lot of money.
Sample Sentences: She made bank from her summer job. / The new app made the company bank.
Other Way to Say: Earn big / Make lots of money
53. Cash in your chips
Meaning: To sell or give up something to get money or benefits.
Sample Sentences: He cashed in his chips by selling his old video games. / She cashed in her chips for a gift card.
Other Way to Say: Exchange for money / Sell for cash
54. Nest egg
Meaning: Savings for the future.
Sample Sentences: We saved a nest egg for college. / They built a nest egg to buy a house.
Other Way to Say: Savings / Money set aside
55. Throw money down the drain
Meaning: To waste money on something useless.
Sample Sentences: Buying broken toys is like throwing money down the drain. / Don’t throw money down the drain on games you don’t play.
Other Way to Say: Waste money / Spend money uselessly
Multiple Choice Quiz: Idioms for Money
1. What does “money doesn’t grow on trees” mean?
A. You can grow money in your backyard
B. Money is hard to get, so don’t waste it
C. Trees are made of money
2. If something “costs an arm and a leg,” it is:
A. Very expensive
B. Sold in pieces
C. Broken and old
3. What does “a penny saved is a penny earned” teach us?
A. Keep all your old pennies
B. Saving money is like earning money
C. Spend money before it disappears
4. When someone is “flat broke,” what’s true about them?
A. They dropped all their money
B. They have no money at all
C. They’re saving a lot
5. “Rolling in dough” means someone:
A. Is making bread
B. Has a lot of money
C. Fell in the kitchen
6. What does it mean to “tighten your belt”?
A. Get ready to eat
B. Spend more on clothes
C. Spend less money
7. If something was bought “for a song,” it was:
A. Paid for by singing
B. Really cheap
C. A music gift
8. If someone “picked up the tab,” what did they do?
A. Found a receipt
B. Got a new job
C. Paid for the bill
9. When you “save up” for something, you are:
A. Buying it today
B. Putting money aside
C. Forgetting about it
10. What does “make ends meet” mean?
A. Try to finish a puzzle
B. Try to get enough money to live
C. Start a race
11. “Cold hard cash” means:
A. Frozen money
B. Coins from the fridge
C. Real paper money or coins
12. If you “throw money down the drain,” what did you do?
A. Wasted money
B. Fixed a sink
C. Lost coins in the tub
Answer Key
- B. Money is hard to get, so don’t waste it
- A. Very expensive
- B. Saving money is like earning money
- B. They have no money at all
- B. Has a lot of money
- C. Spend less money
- B. Really cheap
- C. Paid for the bill
- B. Putting money aside
- B. Try to get enough money to live
- C. Real paper money or coins
- A. Wasted money
Scoring Guide
- 12 Correct Answers: Love Idiom Master! You really know your money idioms.
- 8–11 Correct Answers: Well on your way to understanding money idioms. Great jobjust a bit more practice.
- 4–7 Correct Answers: Room for improvement, but you’re getting there! Keep learning, you’re doing fine.
- 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s explore idioms for money together. Now’s a great time to go back and review
Conclusion
Money idioms are fun ways to talk about saving, spending, and using money. They help us say more with fewer words and make speaking or writing more interesting. You might hear these idioms at home, at school, or even in movies.
Now that you’ve learned what they mean and how to use them, try using some in your own sentences. The more you practice, the easier they’ll become. Understanding money idioms can help you talk clearly and wisely about money in real life.
