11 IDIOMS ABOUT SPENDING AND SAVING MONEY
Understanding the value of saving money is as important as learning the price of spending money. This doesn’t only apply to math and solving problems, but the idea of expressing it literally or by the use of figurative words would really be helpful.
Communication is the key to getting the best result out of something. Idiomatic expressions, on the other hand, give English its color and strength.
Take a look at these 11 idiomatic American English expressions about spending and saving money.
A NEST EGG
– To save extra money saved for future
Examples:
If I just have a nest egg, I don’t need to worry about my funds.
Linda worked hard to build up a nice little nest egg.
Anton has been building a nest egg since college.
CAUGHT SHORT
– To have an insufficient supply or amount when needed
Examples:
Henry is always caught short at the end of the week.
I seem to be caught short, can you lend me some money?
I finished my groceries but I seem to be caught short.
COST AN ARM AND A LEG
– To cost an absolutely large amount of money
Examples:
Her concert ticket would cost an arm and a leg.
Rene’s car surely cost an arm and a leg.
College education these days cost an arm and a leg.
FALLING BEHIND
– To not be able to keep up
Examples:
I’m working hard so I don’t fall behind in my bills.
You’ve fallen behind the school fees.
Amanda feels like she’s falling behind the class.
FOOTING THE BILL
– To pay for something
Examples:
I went to lunch with Cara, and she footed the bill.
My parents footed the bill for my college education.
We’ll have a business lunch, and the company is footing the bill.
HAVING A BALL
– To enjoy one’s self and have a good time
Examples:
Tina is having a ball on her carnival trip.
I feel like having a ball tonight, let’s drink!
Jessi is surely going to have a ball on her birthday.
KEEPING ONE’S HEAD ABOVE WATER
– To have sufficient and enough to live and survive
Examples:
I keep looking for other jobs to keep my head above water.
She’s working day and night to keep her head above water.
Donna budgets her food to keep her head above water.
MAKING ENDS MEET
– To have enough of something to last; to have enough money to live
Examples:
It’s difficult making ends meet in today’s world.
We’re a big family so it’s not easy to make ends meet.
You need to start saving money in order to make ends meet.
ONE FOR THE BOOKS
– To be very unusual and remarkable
Examples:
Her concert is unexpected, that’s one for the books.
Your essay about kites is one for the books.
Our trip to Mongolia is surely one for the books.
RAKING IT IN
– To make or earn a lot of money
Examples:
The new restaurant is getting famous and could be really raking it in.
Sheila’s raking it in with her new job.
Jimmy has been raking it in ever since he got promoted.
WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN
– To have the worst time; when a difficult or bad situation arises
Examples:
You can rely on me when the chips are down.
When the chips are down, they chicken out.
They don’t talk to me when the chips are down.
