Money talks, they say, and it sure does in the language of idioms. These linguistic quirks add flavor to our conversations about finance, making them more colorful and relatable.
Join me on a journey through the world of money idioms, where phrases like “breaking the bank” and “rolling in it” paint vivid pictures of wealth and financial situations.
From being penny-wise to paying through the nose, we’ll explore the meanings and usage of these idioms that have become woven into the fabric of our everyday language.

Idioms for Money
1. “To Break the Bank”
Meaning: To spend all of one’s money, or more than one can afford.
In a Sentence: After the extravagant shopping spree, she managed to break the bank and had to tighten her purse strings for the rest of the month.
2. “To Be Rolling in It”
Meaning: To be very wealthy.
In a Sentence: Ever since his startup went public, he’s been rolling in it, enjoying a life of luxury and opulence.
3. “To Be Broke”
Meaning: To have no money.
In a Sentence: After the unexpected car repairs, I found myself broke and desperately searching for extra gigs to cover the expenses.
4. “To Be Worth a Fortune”
Meaning: To be extremely valuable.
In a Sentence: The antique jewelry passed down from her grandmother turned out to be worth a fortune at the auction.
5. “To Be Penny-Wise and Pound-Foolish”
Meaning: To be careful with small amounts of money but wasteful with larger amounts.
In a Sentence: He diligently saved on groceries but was pound-foolish when it came to making impulsive big-ticket purchases.
6. “To Be in the Red”
Meaning: To have a negative balance in one’s bank account or business.
In a Sentence: After the business downturn, the company found itself consistently in the red, struggling to stay afloat.
7. “To Be in the Black”
Meaning: To have a positive balance in one’s bank account or business.
In a Sentence: Thanks to successful investments, the company turned its financial situation around and is now consistently in the black.
8. “To Pass the Hat”
Meaning: To solicit donations from a group of people.
In a Sentence: When the community learned about the family’s house fire, they decided to pass the hat to support them in rebuilding their lives.
9. “To Put One’s Money Where One’s Mouth Is”
Meaning: To demonstrate one’s commitment by taking action or making a financial investment.
In a Sentence: If you truly believe in the project, it’s time to put your money where your mouth is and invest in its success.
10. “To Throw Good Money After Bad”
Meaning: To continue investing in something that is failing or unlikely to succeed.
In a Sentence: Realizing the sinking ship of the business, he regretted throwing good money after bad in a futile attempt to revive it.
11. “To Be a Money Magnet”
Meaning: To have the ability to attract wealth or financial success.
In a Sentence: Her positive attitude and entrepreneurial skills make her a true money magnet, attracting opportunities and financial prosperity.
12. “To Be Money-Conscious”
Meaning: To be aware of and concerned about one’s financial situation.
In a Sentence: Being money-conscious, he diligently tracks his expenses and savings to ensure a secure financial future.
13. “To Be Money-Wise”
Meaning: To be knowledgeable about financial matters and able to make good financial decisions.
In a Sentence: With his background in finance, she is known for being money-wise, offering valuable insights to those seeking financial advice.
14. “To Be Tight with Money”
Meaning: To be unwilling to spend money freely.
In a Sentence: Despite his wealth, he remains tight with money, always opting for budget-friendly choices.
15. “To Be a Money Tree”
Meaning: To be a source of endless financial support.
In a Sentence: Her successful business became a money tree for the entire family, supporting their dreams and aspirations.
16. “To Be a Money Pit”
Meaning: To be a source of endless financial expenses or losses.
In a Sentence: That vintage car might be a beauty, but it turned out to be a money pit with constant repairs draining his finances.
17. “To Have Deep Pockets”
Meaning: To have a lot of money, often used to describe wealthy individuals or companies.
In a Sentence: The philanthropist was known to have deep pockets, generously contributing to various charitable causes.
18. “To Be a Cash Cow”
Meaning: To be a source of steady financial income or profit.
In a Sentence: Investing in renewable energy proved to be a cash cow for the company, bringing in consistent profits.
19. “To Pay Through the Nose”
Meaning: To pay an exorbitant price or fee.
In a Sentence: She had to pay through the nose for the last-minute flight ticket during the holiday season.
20. “To Be a Sugar Daddy/Mommy”
Meaning: To financially support someone, often in exchange for companionship or other favors.
In a Sentence: He became her sugar daddy, supporting her education in exchange for her companionship.
21. “To Be a Spendthrift”
Meaning: To be extravagant or careless with one’s money.
In a Sentence: Despite earning a decent income, his spendthrift habits left him struggling to save for the future.
22. “To Be a Tightwad”
Meaning: To be very frugal or unwilling to spend money.
In a Sentence: She might be a successful entrepreneur, but she’s known to be a tightwad when it comes to personal expenses.
23. “To Be a Moneybags”
Meaning: To be very wealthy.
In a Sentence: After years of hard work, he became a moneybags, enjoying the luxuries that come with financial success.
24. “To Make a Killing”
Meaning: To make a large profit, often in a short period of time.
In a Sentence: The stock market boom allowed savvy investors to make a killing within a few months.
25. “To Be a Moneymaker”
Meaning: To be a source of financial income or profit.
In a Sentence: The small bakery, with its unique offerings, became a moneymaker for the local entrepreneur.
26. “To Be a Moneylender”
Meaning: To lend money to others, often for a fee or interest.
In a Sentence: He decided to become a moneylender, helping friends and family with financial assistance.
27. “To Be a Financial Burden”
Meaning: To be a source of financial strain or expenses for someone else.
In a Sentence: As her health declined, she became a financial burden on her family due to medical expenses.
28. “To Be a Financial Liability”
Meaning: To be a source of financial risk or burden.
In a Sentence: Taking on that risky investment proved to be a financial liability for the inexperienced entrepreneur.
29. “To Be a Financial Asset”
Meaning: To be a source of financial value or benefit.
In a Sentence: Her diverse skill set proved to be a financial asset for the company, increasing its overall productivity.
30. “To Be Worth One’s Weight in Gold”
Meaning: To be extremely valuable or useful.
In a Sentence: In times of crisis, a reliable friend is worth their weight in gold, providing invaluable support.
Summary
Idiom | Meaning |
---|---|
To Break the Bank | To spend all of one’s money, or more than one can afford. |
To Be Rolling in It | To be very wealthy. |
To Be Broke | To have no money. |
To Be Worth a Fortune | To be extremely valuable. |
To Be Penny-Wise and Pound-Foolish | To be careful with small amounts of money but wasteful with larger amounts. |
To Be in the Red | To have a negative balance in one’s bank account or business. |
To Be in the Black | To have a positive balance in one’s bank account or business. |
To Pass the Hat | To solicit donations from a group of people. |
To Put One’s Money Where One’s Mouth Is | To demonstrate commitment by taking action or making a financial investment. |
To Throw Good Money After Bad | To continue investing in something that is failing or unlikely to succeed. |
To Be a Money Magnet | To have the ability to attract wealth or financial success. |
To Be Money-Conscious | To be aware of and concerned about one’s financial situation. |
To Be Money-Wise | To be knowledgeable about financial matters and able to make good financial decisions. |
To Be Tight with Money | To be unwilling to spend money freely. |
To Be a Money Tree | To be a source of endless financial support. |
To Be a Money Pit | To be a source of endless financial expenses or losses. |
To Have Deep Pockets | To have a lot of money, often used to describe wealthy individuals or companies. |
To Be a Cash Cow | To be a source of steady financial income or profit. |
To Pay Through the Nose | To pay an exorbitant price or fee. |
To Be a Sugar Daddy/Mommy | To financially support someone, often in exchange for companionship or other favors. |
To Be a Spendthrift | To be extravagant or careless with one’s money. |
To Be a Tightwad | To be very frugal or unwilling to spend money. |
To Be a Moneybags | To be very wealthy. |
To Make a Killing | To make a large profit, often in a short period of time. |
To Be a Moneymaker | To be a source of financial income or profit. |
To Be a Moneylender | To lend money to others, often for a fee or interest. |
To Be a Financial Burden | To be a source of financial strain or expenses for someone else. |
To Be a Financial Liability | To be a source of financial risk or burden. |
To Be a Financial Asset | To be a source of financial value or benefit. |
To Be Worth One’s Weight in Gold | To be extremely valuable or useful. |
Conclusion
In this journey through the diverse landscape of money idioms, we’ve uncovered expressions that resonate with our financial experiences. From the thrill of making a killing to the cautionary tales of being penny-wise and pound-foolish, these idioms add depth to our conversations about money.