Money is a big part of our daily lives. We use it to buy food, clothes, and toys. People also talk about money in many different ways. One fun way is by using metaphors. A metaphor is a way of describing something by saying it is something else. It helps us understand big ideas by comparing them to things we already know.
In this article, we will learn about different metaphors people use to talk about money. These metaphors can show if someone is rich, poor, spending too much, or saving wisely. They make talking about money more interesting and easier to understand. Let’s explore how money is described using creative and fun comparisons.
Metaphors About Money
1. Money is burning a hole in my pocket
Meaning: You want to spend money quickly.
Example Sentence:
• I just got birthday money, and it’s burning a hole in my pocket.
• After getting his allowance, he couldn’t wait to buy a video game.
Other ways to say: Can’t wait to spend, eager to shop
Fun Fact/Origin: This metaphor shows money as something so hot you have to get rid of it.
Usage: When someone feels like they must spend their money right away.
2. Money doesn’t grow on trees
Meaning: Money is hard to get, not easy.
Example Sentence:
• Mom said money doesn’t grow on trees when I asked for new shoes.
• You should be careful with your spending—money doesn’t grow on trees.
Other ways to say: Don’t waste money, money is limited
Fun Fact/Origin: It compares money to fruit that can be picked easily, but money doesn’t work that way.
Usage: Used to remind people to be careful with money.
3. He is rolling in dough
Meaning: He has a lot of money.
Example Sentence:
• Ever since he got that new job, he’s been rolling in dough.
• She’s rolling in dough after winning the lottery.
Other ways to say: Very rich, loaded
Fun Fact/Origin: “Dough” is a slang word for money.
Usage: When someone is very wealthy.
4. She’s swimming in money
Meaning: She has more money than she needs.
Example Sentence:
• After her book became famous, she was swimming in money.
• That tech guy is swimming in money.
Other ways to say: Rich, has money to spare
Fun Fact/Origin: It makes it seem like money is everywhere—like water in a pool.
Usage: Used when someone is very wealthy.
5. Time is money
Meaning: Time is valuable like money.
Example Sentence:
• Let’s get started. Time is money!
• He works fast because he knows time is money.
Other ways to say: Don’t waste time, time is precious
Fun Fact/Origin: It reminds people that wasted time could mean lost money.
Usage: Often used in work or business talk.
6. He’s got deep pockets
Meaning: He has a lot of money to spend.
Example Sentence:
• That company has deep pockets—they can afford anything.
• My uncle has deep pockets and gives everyone gifts.
Other ways to say: Wealthy, well-off
Fun Fact/Origin: If your pockets are deep, you can carry a lot—like money.
Usage: Describes someone or a business with lots of money.
7. She’s made of money
Meaning: She seems like she has endless money.
Example Sentence:
• You think I’m made of money? That toy is too expensive.
• He acts like he’s made of money, always buying new stuff.
Other ways to say: Rich, always spending
Fun Fact/Origin: A playful way to say someone must have tons of money.
Usage: Used when someone spends a lot or is thought to be rich.
8. A cash cow
Meaning: Something that brings in steady money.
Example Sentence:
• Their lemonade stand is a cash cow every summer.
• That game app became a cash cow for the company.
Other ways to say: Big earner, money-maker
Fun Fact/Origin: From farming—cows give milk daily, just like cash cows give money.
Usage: Used for businesses or products that always make money.
9. Pouring money down the drain
Meaning: Wasting money.
Example Sentence:
• Buying that toy was like pouring money down the drain.
• Fixing that old car is pouring money down the drain.
Other ways to say: Wasting money, throwing money away
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s like water disappearing down the sink—you don’t get it back.
Usage: When money is spent on useless things.
10. Money talks
Meaning: Money has power.
Example Sentence:
• He got VIP seats because of money talks.
• When you’re rich, money talks.
Other ways to say: Money has influence, money controls things
Fun Fact/Origin: People often listen to those who have money.
Usage: Used when money helps get special treatment.
11. A money pit
Meaning: Something that keeps costing more and more.
Example Sentence:
• That old car is a money pit.
• The treehouse became a money pit with all the repairs.
Other ways to say: Always needs money, endless cost
Fun Fact/Origin: Like a hole where you keep throwing money in and never fill it.
Usage: Used when something always needs more money.
12. Money is tight
Meaning: There isn’t much money to spend.
Example Sentence:
• We can’t go to the movies—money is tight this week.
• They’re not taking a vacation because money is tight.
Other ways to say: Low on money, short on cash
Fun Fact/Origin: Tight means not much room—like a tight budget.
Usage: Describes a time when money is limited.
13. Raining money
Meaning: Money is coming in fast and easy.
Example Sentence:
• After his song went viral, it started raining money.
• They made a hit product, and now it’s raining money.
Other ways to say: Money is flowing in, cash rush
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of money falling like rain.
Usage: When money comes quickly.
14. A nest egg
Meaning: Savings for the future.
Example Sentence:
• Grandpa saved a nest egg for his retirement.
• They have a nest egg for college.
Other ways to say: Savings, backup money
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from putting a fake egg in a nest to encourage hens to lay more eggs—like saving money.
Usage: Describes money saved for future use.
15. Money flows like water
Meaning: Money is being spent too quickly.
Example Sentence:
• During the holidays, money flows like water.
• At the fair, money flowed like water.
Other ways to say: Spent fast, spent freely
Fun Fact/Origin: Water runs quickly and doesn’t stop—like money in fast spending.
Usage: Describes spending without thinking.
16. Drowning in debt
Meaning: Owing a lot of money.
Example Sentence:
• After buying too much, they’re drowning in debt.
• He’s drowning in debt from his credit cards.
Other ways to say: Owes too much, deep in debt
Fun Fact/Origin: Like sinking in water, but with money owed.
Usage: When someone has more debt than they can handle.
17. Tighten your belt
Meaning: Spend less money.
Example Sentence:
• We have to tighten our belts and stop eating out.
• They’re tightening their belts until payday.
Other ways to say: Save money, cut spending
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from needing less food (and money) in hard times.
Usage: When people try to save money.
18. A golden goose
Meaning: Something that keeps giving money.
Example Sentence:
• That rental house is their golden goose.
• The game they made became a golden goose.
Other ways to say: Money-maker, steady income
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the story “The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs.”
Usage: Used for something that earns money again and again.
19. Bet your bottom dollar
Meaning: To be very sure of something.
Example Sentence:
• I’d bet my bottom dollar he’ll be late.
• You can bet your bottom dollar she’ll bring her dog.
Other ways to say: Count on it, guaranteed
Fun Fact/Origin: The bottom dollar means your last dollar—betting everything.
Usage: When someone is really sure.
20. Throw money at the problem
Meaning: Try to fix something by spending money.
Example Sentence:
• They just threw money at the broken computer.
• You can’t solve every problem by throwing money at it.
Other ways to say: Spend to fix, use cash instead of thinking
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s like using money as the only tool.
Usage: When money is used without solving the real issue.
21. Money doesn’t buy happiness
Meaning: You can be rich but still unhappy.
Example Sentence:
• He has lots of money, but money doesn’t buy happiness.
• They realized that money doesn’t buy happiness after the big move.
Other ways to say: Rich but not joyful, happiness comes from other things
Fun Fact/Origin: A reminder that true joy isn’t bought.
Usage: Used to say money isn’t everything.
22. Breaking the bank
Meaning: Spending too much money
Example Sentence:
• The new sneakers broke the bank.
• We want to go on vacation without breaking the bank.
Other ways to say: Cost a lot, too expensive
Fun Fact/Origin: From gambling—when someone wins more than the bank can pay.
Usage: When something costs more than expected.
23. Worth its weight in gold
Meaning: Very valuable
Example Sentence:
• Good advice is worth its weight in gold.
• That old comic book is worth its weight in gold now.
Other ways to say: Very important, priceless
Fun Fact/Origin: Gold is heavy and expensive—so this means something is extremely valuable.
Usage: When something is really helpful or important.
24. Penny-pincher
Meaning: A person who doesn’t like to spend money.
Example Sentence:
• My uncle is a penny-pincher—he reuses tea bags.
• Don’t be a penny-pincher, it’s just a small treat.
Other ways to say: Stingy, saver
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from saving even the smallest coins.
Usage: Describes someone who’s very careful with money.
25. Make a killing
Meaning: Make a lot of money quickly
Example Sentence:
• They made a killing selling snacks at the fair.
• She made a killing with her yard sale.
Other ways to say: Earn a lot, get rich fast
Fun Fact/Origin: Slang from business or gambling wins.
Usage: When someone earns big money fast.
26. Feather your nest
Meaning: Save money for yourself
Example Sentence:
• He’s been feathering his nest for retirement.
• She feathered her nest with smart savings.
Other ways to say: Build savings, plan for future
Fun Fact/Origin: Birds make comfy nests—like people saving for comfort.
Usage: Describes saving or preparing for later.
27. Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: Very expensive
Example Sentence:
• That video game cost an arm and a leg.
• Those shoes cost an arm and a leg!
Other ways to say: Too pricey, really costly
Fun Fact/Origin: Used since the 1900s to mean something very expensive.
Usage: When something is super expensive.
28. Flat broke
Meaning: No money at all
Example Sentence:
• I spent all my allowance—I’m flat broke.
• They were flat broke after the trip.
Other ways to say: Out of money, empty wallet
Fun Fact/Origin: “Flat” shows total emptiness.
Usage: Used when someone has no money.
29. Grease someone’s palm
Meaning: Give money for a favor (usually secretly)
Example Sentence:
• He greased the guard’s palm to skip the line.
• Sometimes people grease palms to get ahead.
Other ways to say: Pay off, bribe
Fun Fact/Origin: From the idea that hands get “greased” (slippery) with money.
Usage: When money is given for special treatment.
30. A fool and his money are soon parted
Meaning: People who aren’t smart with money lose it quickly.
Example Sentence:
• He spent all his money on toys—a fool and his money are soon parted.
• That scam tricked him fast. A fool and his money…
Other ways to say: Spend unwisely, lose money easily
Fun Fact/Origin: This old saying warns about being careless with cash.
Usage: Warns about poor money choices.
31. Pay through the nose
Meaning: Pay too much
Example Sentence:
• We paid through the nose for parking.
• That phone cost so much—we paid through the nose.
Other ways to say: Overpay, spend too much
Fun Fact/Origin: May come from old taxes.
Usage: When someone pays way more than expected.
32. A tidy sum
Meaning: A good amount of money
Example Sentence:
• She earned a tidy sum from babysitting.
• They won a tidy sum in the contest.
Other ways to say: Nice amount, decent pay
Fun Fact/Origin: “Tidy” means neat or good—like a good pile of money.
Usage: Describes a solid amount of money.
33. In the red
Meaning: Losing money
Example Sentence:
• That shop is in the red this month.
• We were in the red until we cut back.
Other ways to say: Owe money, losing money
Fun Fact/Origin: From old ledgers where losses were written in red ink.
Usage: When someone or a business is losing money.
34. In the black
Meaning: Making a profit
Example Sentence:
• The store is finally in the black.
• We stayed in the black all year.
Other ways to say: Earning money, positive balance
Fun Fact/Origin: Opposite of “in the red”—black ink showed profit.
Usage: Describes financial success.
35. Keep the wolf from the door
Meaning: Have just enough to survive
Example Sentence:
• That small job helps keep the wolf from the door.
• They sold cookies to keep the wolf from the door.
Other ways to say: Stay afloat, make ends meet
Fun Fact/Origin: The wolf represents hunger or trouble.
Usage: When someone earns just enough.
36. Pour money into
Meaning: Spend a lot on something
Example Sentence:
• They poured money into fixing the old house.
• He poured money into that toy collection.
Other ways to say: Spend heavily, invest a lot
Fun Fact/Origin: Like filling something up with money.
Usage: When lots of money is spent on one thing.
37. Line your pockets
Meaning: Make money secretly or unfairly
Example Sentence:
• Some leaders line their pockets instead of helping people.
• He lined his pockets by overcharging.
Other ways to say: Sneaky profit, unfair gain
Fun Fact/Origin: Think of hiding money in your pockets.
Usage: Describes greedy or sneaky money-making.
38. Make ends meet
Meaning: Have enough to live on
Example Sentence:
• They work two jobs to make ends meet.
• We budget carefully to make ends meet.
Other ways to say: Get by, live within means
Fun Fact/Origin: From joining the two ends of a budget.
Usage: Describes just managing money needs.
39. Bring home the bacon
Meaning: Earn money for your family
Example Sentence:
• Dad works hard to bring home the bacon.
• She brings home the bacon with her new job.
Other ways to say: Provide, earn for the house
Fun Fact/Origin: Bacon was once seen as a sign of wealth.
Usage: Used for someone supporting their family.
40. A penny for your thoughts
Meaning: Asking what someone is thinking
Example Sentence:
• You’re so quiet. A penny for your thoughts?
• She asked, “A penny for your thoughts?”
Other ways to say: What’s on your mind?, tell me what you’re thinking
Fun Fact/Origin: Old phrase offering a coin to hear thoughts.
Usage: To gently ask what someone’s thinking.
41. Easy money
Meaning: Money earned with little work
Example Sentence:
• Mowing lawns in summer is easy money.
• That job was easy money—it only took an hour.
Other ways to say: Quick cash, simple earnings
Fun Fact/Origin: Means the task isn’t hard.
Usage: When someone gets paid for simple work.
42. Shell out
Meaning: Spend money unwillingly
Example Sentence:
• I had to shell out $20 for lunch.
• We shelled out a lot for tickets.
Other ways to say: Fork over, cough up
Fun Fact/Origin: “Shell” refers to giving something up, like a shell.
Usage: Used when someone spends money, often with frustration.
43. Cold, hard cash
Meaning: Actual paper money or coins
Example Sentence:
• He paid in cold, hard cash.
• I saved cold, hard cash for that bike.
Other ways to say: Real money, cash in hand
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to money you can touch—not digital or credit.
Usage: When money is paid in real bills or coins.
Quiz: Metaphors About Money
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each metaphor. Each question has one correct answer. Use what you’ve learned from the metaphors to find the best choice.
Question Key
1. What does “money is burning a hole in my pocket” mean?
A) You lost your money
B) You want to spend your money quickly
C) You forgot your money at home
2. What does it mean if someone “is rolling in dough”?
A) They love baking
B) They are saving money
C) They have a lot of money
3. What does “money doesn’t grow on trees” remind us?
A) You can find money anywhere
B) Money is easy to get
C) Money is not easy to get
4. If something “cost an arm and a leg,” what does that mean?
A) It was very expensive
B) It was free
C) You paid with a gift
5. What does “he’s got deep pockets” mean?
A) His pants are too big
B) He has a lot of money
C) He hides things
6. What does it mean when someone is “flat broke”?
A) They are rich
B) They have no money
C) They are sleepy
7. What does “a penny for your thoughts” mean?
A) You want to know what someone is thinking
B) You want to buy something
C) You dropped your money
8. If something is “a money pit,” what is it?
A) It gives you free money
B) It keeps needing more money
C) It’s a fun toy
9. What does “in the red” mean?
A) Making lots of money
B) Having no money
C) Losing money
10. What does “make ends meet” mean?
A) Having enough money to live
B) Getting extra money
C) Spending money on fun
11. If something is “worth its weight in gold,” what does that mean?
A) It’s not useful
B) It’s very valuable
C) It’s very light
12. What does “bring home the bacon” mean?
A) Bring food for dinner
B) Earn money for your family
C) Cook breakfast
13. What does “pour money down the drain” mean?
A) Save money
B) Waste money
C) Hide your money
14. What does “shell out” mean?
A) Save money
B) Look at shells
C) Spend money
15. What does “money talks” mean?
A) Money can speak
B) Money has power and influence
C) Money sings songs
Answer Key
- B) You want to spend your money quickly
- C) They have a lot of money
- C) Money is not easy to get
- A) It was very expensive
- B) He has a lot of money
- B) They have no money
- A) You want to know what someone is thinking
- B) It keeps needing more money
- C) Losing money
- A) Having enough money to live
- B) It’s very valuable
- B) Earn money for your family
- B) Waste money
- C) Spend money
- B) Money has power and influence
Wrapping Up
Money can be hard to talk about. That’s why people use metaphors to make it easier. These fun sayings help show how we feel about money—whether we have a lot or just a little. Learning these metaphors can also help us talk smarter and understand others better.
Try using some of these money metaphors next time you chat with family or friends. They might make your words clearer—and even a little fun.
