Money Idioms in English with Meanings and Examples

Money idioms are a fascinating aspect of the English language. They are expressions that use money-related terms to convey a message or idea. For example, “break the bank” means something costs too much money, or to use all of one’s money. Another example is “bring home the bacon,” which means to earn a living or provide for one’s family.

Money idioms are not only fun to use but also provide insight into cultural attitudes toward money and wealth. They reflect how people view money, whether it is as a means of survival, a measure of success, or a source of happiness.

Common Money Idioms by Theme

Wealth & Big Money

Idiom	Meaning	Example
Cash cow	A business or product that makes steady profit	Our new product has become a cash cow* for the company.*
Money to burn	More money than needed; willing to spend easily	He bought another luxury car because he has money to burn.
Be made of money	To be very wealthy (often used in negatives)	Don’t ask me to buy you a new phone; I’m not made of money!
Make a killing	Earn a lot of money quickly	He made a killing* in the stock market and retired at 40.*
Hit the jackpot	Have great success or a sudden financial win	I hit the jackpot* when I found that rare coin at the flea market.*
Cry all the way to the bank	Complain while still benefiting financially	He complained about the contract, but he still cried all the way to the bank.

Expensive & Costly

Idiom	Meaning	Example
Break the bank	Cost so much that you spend all your money	I can’t afford that new car—it would break the bank.
Pay through the nose	Pay an extremely high price	She was willing to pay through the nose* for the designer dress.*
Cost an arm and a leg	Be extremely expensive	I want that laptop, but it costs an arm and a leg.
Foot the bill	Pay for something (often expensive)	The parents decided to foot the bill* for the wedding.*

Saving Money & Being Careful

Idiom	Meaning	Example
Penny pincher	A person who hates spending money	My grandfather is a penny pincher* and avoids unnecessary purchases.*
Pinch pennies	Spend very little; be extremely careful with money	After the pay cut, we had to pinch pennies* to make ends meet.*
Tighten your belt	Reduce spending; live more cheaply	Since his pay cut, he’s had to tighten his belt* and cook at home.*
Cut corners	Save time/money by doing something cheaply (often lower quality)	They cut corners* to finish the project quickly, and the quality suffered.*
Cut your losses	Stop doing something that is losing money	After months of poor sales, she decided to cut her losses* and move on.*

Value, Competition & Real Life Money Talk

Idiom	Meaning	Example
Money talks	Money influences decisions and people	Money talks, so be ready to negotiate a better salary.
For peanuts	For a very small amount of money	He bought the vintage car for peanuts* and later sold it for profit.*
Get a run for one’s money	Be challenged; get good value for what you paid	The underdog gave the champions a run for their money.
Put all your eggs in one basket	Risk everything on one plan	Don’t put all your eggs in one basket* when investing.*
As sound as a dollar	Financially secure and stable	Even during the crisis, his savings were as sound as a dollar.

Work & Income

Idiom	Meaning	Example
Bring home the bacon	Earn a living; provide for your family	I work long hours to bring home the bacon* for my family.*
Bread and butter	Main source of income	Teaching is my bread and butter, but I also write on the side.
Cash in on (something)	Take advantage of an opportunity for profit	She cashed in on* her early investment when the market peaked.*
Cash-and-carry	Pay immediately at purchase (business term)	The warehouse is cash-and-carry, so we must pay upfront.

Fascinating Origins

Pay Through the Nose

Origin: This idiom is commonly linked to medieval Ireland. According to popular accounts, people who failed to pay certain taxes were punished by having their noses slit. Over time, the phrase came to mean paying an extremely high or painful price.
Meaning: Pay far too much for something.
Tourists often pay through the nose for snacks at the airport.

Bring Home the Bacon

Origin: This expression is often traced back to a tradition in Great Dunmow, England. Since the 14th century, a happily married couple could be awarded a side of bacon after proving they had lived together in harmony for a year and a day. Bacon symbolized success and provision.
Meaning: Earn money to support your family.
She works two jobs to bring home the bacon.

Last Updated on January 22, 2026

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Nhat Nhat

English Teacher | IELTS Instructor | English Learning Content Creator at ESLTeacher.org

Nhat Nhat is an English teacher and IELTS instructor specializing in grammar, academic writing, and English learning resources. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Education from Hanoi National University of Education (HNUE), an IELTS 8.0 certificate, and TESOL / TEFL teaching certifications. With over 9 years of teaching experience, he creates practical lessons and educational content to help learners improve their English skills and exam performance.