Money idioms

29 money idioms with what each one means. Tap one for its origin, examples and a quick check.

A dime a dozen
If things are a dime a dozen, they are very common, easy to find and not especially valuable.
A fool and his money are soon parted
A fool and his money are soon parted means careless or foolish people quickly lose or waste their money.
A penny for your thoughts
A penny for your thoughts is a friendly way of asking someone who seems quiet or lost in thought what they are thinking about.
Bang for your buck
Bang for your buck means good value: getting a lot of benefit or quality for the money or effort you spend.
Beggars can't be choosers
Beggars can't be choosers means that when you need help or have few options, you should accept what is offered instead of being picky.
Bells and whistles
Bells and whistles are extra features that make something more attractive or impressive but are not really necessary.
Bread and butter
Your bread and butter is your main source of income, or the basic, everyday work or product that keeps you going.
Break even
To break even is to earn exactly as much money as you spend, so you make no profit and suffer no loss.
Bring home the bacon
To bring home the bacon means to earn the money that supports a family or household. It can also mean to succeed or win a prize.
Cash cow
A cash cow is a product, service or business that earns a steady flow of money with little extra effort or investment.
Cook the books
To cook the books is to change financial records dishonestly, usually to hide losses, take money or make a business look healthier than it is.
Cost an arm and a leg
If something costs an arm and a leg, it is extremely expensive, often more than seems reasonable.
Cut corners
To cut corners is to do something in the cheapest, quickest or easiest way, often by skipping steps and lowering quality.
Cut your losses
To cut your losses is to stop doing something that is failing, so you don't lose even more money, time or effort.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket
Don't put all your eggs in one basket means don't risk everything on a single plan, investment or chance.
Face value
To take something at face value means to accept it as it first appears, without looking for a hidden meaning or catch.
Foot the bill
To foot the bill means to pay for something, often something costly, especially when others don't.
In the black
If a business or person is in the black, they are making a profit or have more money than they owe.
In the red
If a business or person is in the red, they are losing money or owe more than they have.
Lock, stock and barrel
Lock, stock and barrel means completely, including every part of something.
Make ends meet
To make ends meet means to earn just enough money to pay for the basic things you need.
My two cents
Your two cents is your opinion on something, offered modestly, often when no one asked for it.
Nest egg
A nest egg is a sum of money saved over time and kept for the future, such as for retirement or an emergency.
No strings attached
If something comes with no strings attached, it has no hidden conditions, costs or duties; you get it without owing anything back.
On the house
If something is on the house, the business gives it to you for free.
Out of pocket
Out of pocket means paying with your own money, or having lost money; in American English it can also mean away and hard to reach.
Over a barrel
If someone has you over a barrel, they have put you in a position where you have no choice but to do what they want.
Pay through the nose
To pay through the nose is to pay much more than something is worth or more than is fair.
Penny wise, pound foolish
Penny wise, pound foolish describes someone who is careful about small amounts of money but wasteful or careless with large amounts.

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