Money plays a big part in daily life, especially in the USA. People work to earn it, save it for the future, and spend it on things they need or want. Over time, Americans have come up with colorful phrases, or idioms, to talk about money. These expressions make conversations more interesting and help share ideas quickly.
Idioms about money can be about earning, saving, or spending it. Some can warn you about being careful, while others show the joy of having extra cash. Learning these sayings can make speaking and writing more fun, and they can also help you understand what others mean. In this article, we will explore many popular money idioms used in the USA and see how they are used in real life.
Idioms About Money
1. Break the bank
Meaning: To spend too much money or use up all your savings.
Example Sentence:
• Buying that car would break the bank for us.
• A vacation to Hawaii might break the bank this year.
Other ways to say: Spend too much, go over budget
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from gambling, where “breaking the bank” meant winning all the money at a casino table.
Usage: Used when something costs more than you can afford.
2. Money doesn’t grow on trees
Meaning: Money is not easy to get, so you must be careful with it.
Example Sentence:
• Remember, money doesn’t grow on trees, so spend wisely.
• My dad says money doesn’t grow on trees whenever I ask for new sneakers.
Other ways to say: Be careful with money, money is hard to earn
Fun Fact/Origin: The saying compares money to leaves, reminding people it’s not something that appears naturally.
Usage: Used to teach someone to value money.
3. In the red
Meaning: Owing more money than you have; being in debt.
Example Sentence:
• After the holidays, many families are in the red.
• Our store was in the red last winter but is doing better now.
Other ways to say: Owe money, be in debt
Fun Fact/Origin: In accounting, red ink is used to show a loss.
Usage: Used when talking about businesses or personal debt.
4. In the black
Meaning: Making a profit or having more money than you owe.
Example Sentence:
• We’re finally in the black after a slow start to the year.
• His small shop was in the black by summer.
Other ways to say: Make a profit, have extra money
Fun Fact/Origin: Black ink is used in accounting to show profit.
Usage: Often used in business or personal finance.
5. Pay through the nose
Meaning: To pay much more than something is worth.
Example Sentence:
• We paid through the nose for concert tickets.
• You’ll pay through the nose if you shop there.
Other ways to say: Overpay, pay too much
Fun Fact/Origin: This saying may come from a tax in old Ireland called a “nose tax.”
Usage: Used when something is very overpriced.
6. Nest egg
Meaning: Money saved for the future.
Example Sentence:
• She has a nest egg for retirement.
• They’re building a nest egg for their children’s college.
Other ways to say: Savings, reserve funds
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from farmers putting a fake egg in a nest to encourage hens to lay more eggs.
Usage: Used when talking about long-term savings.
7. Live paycheck to paycheck
Meaning: To spend all the money you earn each month without saving.
Example Sentence:
• Many families live paycheck to paycheck.
• He can’t afford to miss work because he lives paycheck to paycheck.
Other ways to say: No extra savings, just getting by
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase became popular during the 20th century when wages barely covered expenses.
Usage: Used to describe living with no financial cushion.
8. Tighten your belt
Meaning: To spend less money and be more careful with it.
Example Sentence:
• We’ll need to tighten our belts until things improve.
• Families are tightening their belts due to rising costs.
Other ways to say: Cut back, save money
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of losing weight from eating less.
Usage: Used during tough financial times.
9. Rolling in dough
Meaning: Having a lot of money.
Example Sentence:
• After his new job, he’s rolling in dough.
• That company must be rolling in dough to afford that ad.
Other ways to say: Rich, loaded
Fun Fact/Origin: “Dough” is slang for money.
Usage: Often used in a playful way to describe wealth.
10. Money to burn
Meaning: Having extra money to spend freely.
Example Sentence:
• He’s got money to burn after that big bonus.
• They must have money to burn with all those new cars.
Other ways to say: Extra cash, plenty of money
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests you have so much money you could burn it without care.
Usage: Used for people spending freely.
11. Bring home the bacon
Meaning: To earn money to support a family.
Example Sentence:
• Dad works two jobs to bring home the bacon.
• She brings home the bacon while her husband studies.
Other ways to say: Earn a living, provide income
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase dates back to 12th-century England, when a church gave bacon to husbands who treated their wives well.
Usage: Used when someone is earning money for household needs.
12. Cash cow
Meaning: Something that brings in steady profit.
Example Sentence:
• The coffee shop is their cash cow.
• That toy line is a cash cow for the company.
Other ways to say: Money-maker, profit source
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of a cow giving milk regularly.
Usage: Often used in business.
13. Cut corners
Meaning: To spend less money by doing something cheaply.
Example Sentence:
• They cut corners on the project to save money.
• We can’t cut corners on safety.
Other ways to say: Save money, do cheaply
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase comes from taking a shorter route to save time or money.
Usage: Used when someone avoids full effort to save costs.
14. Easy money
Meaning: Money earned with little effort.
Example Sentence:
• Selling lemonade was easy money for the kids.
• That job is easy money if you know how to do it.
Other ways to say: Quick cash, simple earnings
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular in the 20th century to describe effortless profits.
Usage: Used for simple ways of making money.
15. For a song
Meaning: Very cheap.
Example Sentence:
• I got this bike for a song at the yard sale.
• They bought the house for a song years ago.
Other ways to say: Bargain, low price
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea that a song is easy to give, so the cost is low.
Usage: Used for good deals.
16. Golden handshake
Meaning: A large payment given to someone when they leave a job.
Example Sentence:
• He got a golden handshake when he retired.
• They offered her a golden handshake to resign.
Other ways to say: Severance pay, exit bonus
Fun Fact/Origin: Became popular in business in the 1960s for retirement deals.
Usage: Used in corporate settings.
17. Golden goose
Meaning: A source of continual money or success.
Example Sentence:
• That app is their golden goose.
• Don’t ruin the golden goose by rushing it.
Other ways to say: Money source, steady profit
Fun Fact/Origin: From the fable “The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs.”
Usage: Used for valuable, ongoing opportunities.
18. Go Dutch
Meaning: Each person pays for themselves.
Example Sentence:
• Let’s go Dutch for dinner.
• We went Dutch on the trip expenses.
Other ways to say: Split the bill, share costs
Fun Fact/Origin: Came from 17th-century England as a reference to Dutch frugality.
Usage: Used when sharing costs.
19. Gravy train
Meaning: A job or situation where you earn a lot with little effort.
Example Sentence:
• That contract put them on the gravy train.
• He’s been riding the gravy train for years.
Other ways to say: Easy profit, cushy job
Fun Fact/Origin: “Gravy” is slang for something extra and good.
Usage: Used for comfortable money-making jobs.
20. Hand to mouth
Meaning: Spending all your money just to survive.
Example Sentence:
• They lived hand to mouth before the new job.
• Many workers are stuck in hand-to-mouth living.
Other ways to say: Barely getting by, no savings
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to eating only what you can afford each day.
Usage: Used for poor financial situations.
21. Hit the jackpot
Meaning: To win a lot of money or achieve great success.
Example Sentence:
• They hit the jackpot with that invention.
• She hit the jackpot at the casino.
Other ways to say: Win big, strike it rich
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from slot machines, where the jackpot is the biggest prize.
Usage: Used for sudden success or wealth.
22. Keep the wolf from the door
Meaning: To have just enough money to avoid hunger or poverty.
Example Sentence:
• This part-time job keeps the wolf from the door.
• We’re doing just enough to keep the wolf from the door.
Other ways to say: Survive, make ends meet
Fun Fact/Origin: The “wolf” is a symbol of hunger.
Usage: Used for barely surviving financially.
23. Living large
Meaning: Spending a lot and enjoying luxury.
Example Sentence:
• He’s been living large since the promotion.
• They live large with their vacation homes.
Other ways to say: Living in style, splurging
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular in 1980s American slang.
Usage: Used for lavish lifestyles.
24. Make ends meet
Meaning: To have just enough money to pay bills.
Example Sentence:
• It’s hard to make ends meet with these prices.
• She works extra shifts to make ends meet.
Other ways to say: Get by, cover expenses
Fun Fact/Origin: Dates back to the 1600s, referring to tying both ends of a rope.
Usage: Used for covering basic needs.
25. On the house
Meaning: Free of charge.
Example Sentence:
• Dessert is on the house tonight.
• Drinks are on the house for our guests.
Other ways to say: Free, complimentary
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in restaurants or bars.
Usage: Used for gifts from a business.
26. Penny-pincher
Meaning: Someone who is very careful with money.
Example Sentence:
• My uncle is a real penny-pincher.
• She’s known as a penny-pincher in the office.
Other ways to say: Tight with money, frugal
Fun Fact/Origin: Dates to the 1800s when pennies had more buying power.
Usage: Used to describe frugality.
27. Pick up the tab
Meaning: To pay the bill for something.
Example Sentence:
• He picked up the tab for lunch.
• I’ll pick up the tab this time.
Other ways to say: Pay the bill, cover the cost
Fun Fact/Origin: “Tab” is short for “tablet,” meaning a written list of charges.
Usage: Used for paying in restaurants or events.
28. Put your money where your mouth is
Meaning: Show your beliefs by spending or investing money.
Example Sentence:
• If you believe in the cause, put your money where your mouth is.
• She put her money where her mouth is by donating.
Other ways to say: Back up words with actions, invest in what you support
Fun Fact/Origin: Popularized in America during the 20th century.
Usage: Used to challenge people to act on their words.
29. Rags to riches
Meaning: Going from being poor to being rich.
Example Sentence:
• His life is a rags-to-riches story.
• The book tells a rags-to-riches tale.
Other ways to say: From poor to wealthy, success story
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in American success stories since the 1800s.
Usage: Used for inspiring success stories.
30. Save for a rainy day
Meaning: Keep money for future emergencies.
Example Sentence:
• We’re saving for a rainy day.
• Always save a little for a rainy day.
Other ways to say: Keep savings, set aside money
Fun Fact/Origin: The “rainy day” represents bad times.
Usage: Used for preparing for the future.
31. Shell out
Meaning: To pay or give money, usually unwillingly.
Example Sentence:
• We had to shell out a lot for repairs.
• He shelled out for new uniforms.
Other ways to say: Pay up, hand over money
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of removing something from a shell, like taking money out of your pocket.
Usage: Used when spending money reluctantly.
32. Tightwad
Meaning: A person who hates to spend money.
Example Sentence:
• Don’t be such a tightwad—buy the kids some ice cream.
• He’s a known tightwad in the neighborhood.
Other ways to say: Stingy person, miser
Fun Fact/Origin: “Wad” refers to a roll of money, meaning someone who holds onto it tightly.
Usage: Used to describe extreme frugality.
33. Time is money
Meaning: Time is valuable, so don’t waste it.
Example Sentence:
• Let’s get to work—time is money.
• In business, time is money.
Other ways to say: Don’t waste time, time has value
Fun Fact/Origin: First recorded in the 1700s, made famous by Benjamin Franklin.
Usage: Used to encourage efficiency.
34. Throw money down the drain
Meaning: To waste money.
Example Sentence:
• Buying that was like throwing money down the drain.
• Don’t throw money down the drain on useless gadgets.
Other ways to say: Waste money, spend foolishly
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to money being lost forever, like water down a drain.
Usage: Used for bad spending decisions.
35. Worth its weight in gold
Meaning: Extremely valuable.
Example Sentence:
• Good advice is worth its weight in gold.
• That tool is worth its weight in gold on the farm.
Other ways to say: Priceless, very valuable
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from comparing value to gold, a precious metal.
Usage: Used for people, advice, or objects.
36. Born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth
Meaning: Born into a wealthy family.
Example Sentence:
• She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
• People think he’s lucky because of his silver spoon start.
Other ways to say: Privileged birth, wealthy upbringing
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to old European customs of giving silver spoons to babies in rich families.
Usage: Used to describe people born into wealth.
37. Cost a pretty penny
Meaning: To be very expensive.
Example Sentence:
• That wedding dress cost a pretty penny.
• Repairs will cost a pretty penny.
Other ways to say: Cost a lot, pricey
Fun Fact/Origin: “Pretty” here means “considerable,” not beautiful.
Usage: Used for high prices.
38. Daylight robbery
Meaning: A price that is shockingly high.
Example Sentence:
• $10 for a soda? That’s daylight robbery.
• The rent increase feels like daylight robbery.
Other ways to say: Overcharging, outrageous price
Fun Fact/Origin: Dates to the 1700s to describe unfair taxes.
Usage: Used to complain about unfair prices.
39. Feather your nest
Meaning: To use your position to make money for yourself.
Example Sentence:
• He’s been feathering his nest for years.
• They accused the official of feathering his nest.
Other ways to say: Self-enrich, profit personally
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from birds lining their nests to make them comfortable.
Usage: Often negative, about selfish profit.
40. Filthy rich
Meaning: Extremely wealthy.
Example Sentence:
• That tech founder is filthy rich.
• They became filthy rich after selling the company.
Other ways to say: Loaded, very rich
Fun Fact/Origin: “Filthy” adds exaggeration, not literal dirt.
Usage: Used informally to stress extreme wealth.
41. Fool’s gold
Meaning: Something that looks valuable but isn’t.
Example Sentence:
• That offer is fool’s gold.
• Investors realized the deal was fool’s gold.
Other ways to say: Fake treasure, worthless prize
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to iron pyrite, which looks like gold but has little value.
Usage: Used for deceptive opportunities.
42. Get your money’s worth
Meaning: To receive good value for what you paid.
Example Sentence:
• We got our money’s worth at that show.
• Make sure you get your money’s worth from the class.
Other ways to say: Good deal, fair value
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in consumer advice in the 20th century.
Usage: Used when evaluating purchases.
43. Have deep pockets
Meaning: To have a lot of money.
Example Sentence:
• Big companies have deep pockets for advertising.
• He’s got deep pockets and can fund the project.
Other ways to say: Wealthy, rich
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea that large pockets can hold more money.
Usage: Used for individuals or organizations.
44. Keep your head above water
Meaning: To just manage to survive financially.
Example Sentence:
• We’re barely keeping our heads above water with bills.
• She’s working overtime to keep her head above water.
Other ways to say: Stay afloat, survive
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from swimming, where you must keep your head above water to breathe.
Usage: Used for financial struggle.
45. Living beyond your means
Meaning: Spending more than you earn.
Example Sentence:
• They’re living beyond their means with that car.
• Avoid living beyond your means to stay debt-free.
Other ways to say: Overspending, over-budget
Fun Fact/Origin: Common phrase in financial advice.
Usage: Used for warning against debt.
46. Loaded
Meaning: Having a lot of money.
Example Sentence:
• She must be loaded to afford that house.
• He’s loaded after his business took off.
Other ways to say: Rich, wealthy
Fun Fact/Origin: 20th-century American slang.
Usage: Used informally to describe wealth.
47. Money talks
Meaning: Money can influence decisions.
Example Sentence:
• In politics, money talks.
• Money talks when it comes to big deals.
Other ways to say: Wealth has power, money influences
Fun Fact/Origin: Recorded since the 1800s in America.
Usage: Used about the power of money.
48. On a shoestring budget
Meaning: With very little money.
Example Sentence:
• We traveled on a shoestring budget.
• The movie was made on a shoestring budget.
Other ways to say: Low budget, frugally
Fun Fact/Origin: Shoestrings are small and cheap, symbolizing little resources.
Usage: Used for small spending limits.
49. Pay an arm and a leg
Meaning: To pay a very high price.
Example Sentence:
• That car cost an arm and a leg.
• I’m not paying an arm and a leg for tickets.
Other ways to say: Overpriced, very costly
Fun Fact/Origin: Possibly from the idea of losing something valuable.
Usage: Used for expensive purchases.
50. Penny for your thoughts
Meaning: Asking someone what they’re thinking.
Example Sentence:
• You’re quiet—penny for your thoughts?
• Penny for your thoughts on this plan.
Other ways to say: What are you thinking?, share your thoughts
Fun Fact/Origin: Dates to the 1500s, showing interest in someone’s ideas.
Usage: Used in casual conversation.
51. Put in your two cents
Meaning: To share your opinion.
Example Sentence:
• Can I put in my two cents?
• He always puts in his two cents at meetings.
Other ways to say: Share your view, give input
Fun Fact/Origin: “Two cents” is a small amount, showing humility when giving an opinion.
Usage: Used in discussions.
52. Quick buck
Meaning: Money made quickly, often easily.
Example Sentence:
• They’re looking to make a quick buck.
• Selling snacks at the game is a quick buck.
Other ways to say: Fast cash, easy profit
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular in mid-1900s American slang.
Usage: Used for short-term gains.
53. Rain check
Meaning: A promise to do something later.
Example Sentence:
• Can I take a rain check on dinner?
• They gave me a rain check for the sold-out concert.
Other ways to say: Postpone, delay
Fun Fact/Origin: Came from baseball games canceled by rain; tickets could be used later.
Usage: Used in social and business situations.
54. Strike it rich
Meaning: To suddenly become wealthy.
Example Sentence:
• They struck it rich with that oil well.
• He struck it rich in real estate.
Other ways to say: Get rich quick, big win
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular during the Gold Rush.
Usage: Used for sudden fortune.
55. Throw good money after bad
Meaning: To keep spending on something that’s already failing.
Example Sentence:
• Fixing that old car is throwing good money after bad.
• Stop throwing good money after bad on that business.
Other ways to say: Waste more money, keep funding failure
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in financial advice to warn against poor investments.
Usage: Used for bad spending decisions.
56. Turn a profit
Meaning: To make more money than you spent.
Example Sentence:
• The shop finally turned a profit last year.
• We turned a profit after cutting costs.
Other ways to say: Make money, earn more than you spend
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in business talk.
Usage: Used when discussing financial success.
57. Worth a fortune
Meaning: Extremely valuable or expensive.
Example Sentence:
• That painting is worth a fortune.
• The jewelry is worth a fortune.
Other ways to say: Very expensive, priceless
Fun Fact/Origin: “Fortune” means great wealth.
Usage: Used for high-value items.
58. Your money’s no good here
Meaning: You don’t have to pay; it’s free.
Example Sentence:
• At my mom’s house, your money’s no good here.
• His friends told him his money’s no good here at the party.
Other ways to say: Free, covered for you
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used as a friendly gesture to show hospitality.
Usage: Used in social situations when refusing payment.
Quiz: Idioms About Money
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each idiom. Only one answer is correct.
Question Key
1. What does “break the bank” mean?
A) To save a lot of money
B) To spend too much money
C) To work hard for money
2. If someone is “in the red,” what does it mean?
A) They are in debt
B) They are making a profit
C) They have stopped working
3. What does “nest egg” refer to?
A) A safe place for money
B) Savings for the future
C) A quick way to make money
4. If you “tighten your belt,” what are you doing?
A) Saving more and spending less
B) Buying new clothes
C) Eating less food
5. What does “rolling in dough” mean?
A) Baking bread
B) Having a lot of money
C) Working in a factory
6. If someone says “money doesn’t grow on trees,” they mean:
A) Money is easy to get
B) Money is hard to earn
C) Money is made from paper
7. “Go Dutch” means:
A) Everyone pays for themselves
B) One person pays for all
C) Getting a discount
8. If you “hit the jackpot,” you:
A) Win a large amount of money
B) Lose money
C) Work very hard
9. What does “hand to mouth” describe?
A) Having just enough to survive
B) Eating fancy meals
C) Saving a lot of money
10. “On the house” means:
A) It’s free
B) It’s for sale
C) It’s expensive
11. If someone is a “penny-pincher,” they:
A) Save carefully and avoid spending
B) Spend without thinking
C) Collect old coins
12. “Put your money where your mouth is” means:
A) Keep your money safe
B) Back up your words with action or spending
C) Talk about money often
13. What does “rags to riches” mean?
A) Becoming poor
B) Going from poor to rich
C) Living a normal life
14. “Save for a rainy day” means:
A) Keep money for emergencies
B) Spend money quickly
C) Hide money from others
15. If something “costs a pretty penny,” it is:
A) Very cheap
B) Very expensive
C) Fake
16. “Daylight robbery” means:
A) Stealing in the daytime
B) Paying an unfairly high price
C) Getting a good deal
17. “Filthy rich” means:
A) Having a little extra money
B) Having a lot of money
C) Being greedy
18. If you “throw money down the drain,” you:
A) Save it for later
B) Waste it
C) Hide it
19. “Keep your head above water” means:
A) Stay out of trouble
B) Barely survive financially
C) Learn to swim
20. “On a shoestring budget” means:
A) Spending a lot of money
B) Spending very little money
C) Spending nothing at all
21. If something is “worth its weight in gold,” it is:
A) Heavy
B) Very valuable
C) Rare
22. “Strike it rich” means:
A) Lose money quickly
B) Become wealthy suddenly
C) Work hard for years
23. “Throw good money after bad” means:
A) Keep spending on something that’s already failing
B) Buy something better
C) Save for a new project
24. “Worth a fortune” means:
A) Worth very little
B) Worth a lot of money
C) Worth nothing
25. If someone says “your money’s no good here,” they mean:
A) They don’t accept your type of currency
B) You don’t have to pay; it’s free
C) They will give you a loan
Answer Key
- B) To spend too much money
- A) They are in debt
- B) Savings for the future
- A) Saving more and spending less
- B) Having a lot of money
- B) Money is hard to earn
- A) Everyone pays for themselves
- A) Win a large amount of money
- A) Having just enough to survive
- A) It’s free
- A) Save carefully and avoid spending
- B) Back up your words with action or spending
- B) Going from poor to rich
- A) Keep money for emergencies
- B) Very expensive
- B) Paying an unfairly high price
- B) Having a lot of money
- B) Waste it
- B) Barely survive financially
- B) Spending very little money
- B) Very valuable
- B) Become wealthy suddenly
- A) Keep spending on something that’s already failing
- B) Worth a lot of money
- B) You don’t have to pay; it’s free
Wrapping Up
Money idioms are a big part of American speech. They make conversations more lively and help share ideas in fewer words. Knowing them can make it easier to understand movies, books, and everyday talk in the USA.
Whether you’re talking about saving, spending, or earning, these sayings add color to your language. The more you hear and use them, the more natural they will feel. Keep listening for them in real life, and soon you’ll be using them with ease.
