IDIOMS ABOUT MONEY

COST AN ARM AND A LEG – to be expensive

Peter is standing near a shining shop-window, staring at the most awesome bike he's ever seen in his life. The only problem is that this bike costs an arm and a leg. Even if Peter starts to put his lunch money aside right now, it'll take ages to buy it.

MAKE ENDS MEET – to be able to buy only things you need to live due to lack of money

Peter sighs with regret. He isn't even certain he will get any money this month or not. The boy’s family has faced serious financial problems not so long ago and now they have to make ends meet.

IN THE RED – to spend more money than is available and be in debt (1)

FEEL THE PINCH – to have a financial hardship (2)

Peter’s family has a small restaurant, which is, unfortunately, in the red (1) due to the lack of visitors. People prefer to stay at home in the current conditions and lots of businesses all over the country lose money. Consumers spend less, so businesses feel the pinch (2).

DOWN THE DRAIN – to be completely destroyed or wasted (1)

OUT OF POCKET – to have no money or less money than you intended to have after having done smth (2)

His family's savings went down the drain (1) when they tried making special offers in attempts to keep their business alive. They were left thousands of dollars out of pockets (2) after these offers didn't prove successful.

TIGHTEN YOUR BELT – to cut expenses because of a limited budget

And since they don't have any other source of money, they are forced to tighten their belts and save on everything they can.

ON A SHOESTRING – to use a small amount of money because of a limited budget

Living on a shoestring is a something Peter is already used to - his family already faced many financial difficulties before all these problems.

BE ROLLING IN IT/BE ROLLING IN MONEY – to be exceptionally rich and be able to spend huge amounts of money

The boy is sure that one day this dark period will come to an end and they all will be rolling in money.

HAVE DEEP POCKETS – to possess big amounts of money

That day, when he becomes a man with big pockets, he will buy the awesomest bike in the world - or even two bikes. Just in case.

THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH/THERE’S NO FREE LUNCH – nothing is given without paying for it or making efforts to get it

But Peter does understand that there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world and if he wants to become rich, he needs to do his best.

A SMALL FORTUNE – a rather large amount of money

The boy smiles at his thoughts and decides to go to his family's restaurant. His parents are probably waiting for his help. Peter looks at the bike that costs a small fortune one more time and heads to the restaurant.

Test your knowledge of idioms about money here:

Test 1

Test 2