Money plays an important role in our daily lives, so it’s no surprise that English has many idioms related to money and finance. Idioms are special expressions whose meanings are not always clear from the words themselves.
In this article, we’ll explore 100 idioms about money and finance, with simple meanings. These idioms will make your English sound richer and more natural, whether you’re talking in class, writing stories, or even discussing business in the future.
Why Money in Idioms?
Money has always been a big part of human life—buying food, trading goods, saving for the future, and even showing power. That’s why people created sayings about money. For example:
- Saving coins → wisdom.
- Wasting money → carelessness.
- Having gold → success.
These idioms make language colorful and connect with real life.
100 Idioms About Money and Finance with Meanings
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Money doesn’t grow on trees | Money is limited |
| Time is money | Time is valuable |
| Cash cow | A steady source of income |
| Easy money | Money earned with little effort |
| Big bucks | A lot of money |
| A fool and his money are soon parted | Careless people lose money quickly |
| Break the bank | To cost too much |
| Bet your bottom dollar | Be certain about something |
| Money to burn | Extra money to spend |
| For my money | In my opinion |
| Put your money where your mouth is | Back up words with action |
| Hush money | Money paid to keep someone silent |
| Blood money | Money earned dishonorably |
| Throw money around | Spend carelessly |
| Born with a silver spoon | Born rich |
| In the red | Owing money, in debt |
| In the black | Profitable, not in debt |
| A nest egg | Saved money |
| Rags to riches | Going from poor to rich |
| Filthy rich | Extremely wealthy |
| Stinking rich | Very rich (informal) |
| Dirt poor | Extremely poor |
| Live on a shoestring | Live with very little money |
| Tighten your belt | Spend less money |
| A penny saved is a penny earned | Saving is as good as earning |
| Pinch pennies | Spend very carefully |
| Pennies on the dollar | Very cheap |
| Not worth a dime | Worthless |
| Turn on a dime | Change direction quickly |
| Dime a dozen | Very common, not valuable |
| Nickel and dime | Small, unimportant amounts |
| Two cents’ worth | Someone’s opinion |
| Pay through the nose | Pay too much |
| Pony up | Pay money owed |
| Fork over | Give money unwillingly |
| Foot the bill | Pay for something |
| Pick up the tab | Pay the total cost |
| On the house | Free, paid by the business |
| Shell out | Spend money |
| Cough up | Finally give money |
| Rolling in money | Very rich |
| Made of money | Very wealthy |
| Strike it rich | Suddenly get a lot of money |
| Hit the jackpot | Win or gain a lot suddenly |
| Pay off | Bring good results |
| Paid peanuts | Paid very little |
| Chump change | A small, unimportant amount of money |
| Small fortune | A lot of money |
| Worth its weight in gold | Very valuable |
| Cost a fortune | Very expensive |
| Pay dividends | Bring future benefits |
| Money talks | Money gives power and influence |
| Throw good money after bad | Keep spending on something failing |
| Funny money | Fake or worthless money |
| Monopoly money | Fake-looking cash |
| Dirty money | Money earned illegally |
| Blood from a stone | Very hard to get money from someone |
| Cash in your chips | Exchange for value; also, die (slang) |
| Cash-strapped | Short of money |
| Hard cash | Actual money |
| Cold hard cash | Physical money, not promises |
| Ready money | Cash available immediately |
| Cash cow business | Reliable income business |
| In for a penny, in for a pound | If you start, commit fully |
| Cost an arm and a leg | Very expensive |
| Pay lip service | Say, but not act |
| Golden handshake | Big payment when leaving a job |
| Golden opportunity | Perfect chance |
| Golden parachute | Money given when leaving a company |
| Golden goose | Source of steady income |
| Worth a pretty penny | Very expensive |
| Penny-pincher | Someone very careful with money |
| Deep pockets | Very wealthy |
| Empty pockets | Having no money |
| Burn a hole in your pocket | Money that you want to spend quickly |
| Loaded | Very rich |
| Broke | Having no money |
| Flat broke | Completely without money |
| Skint | No money (British slang) |
| Pay an arm and a leg | Pay too much |
| Born broke | Born poor |
| Fast buck | Quick money, not always honest |
| Buck stops here | Responsibility ends here |
| Bang for your buck | Good value for money |
| Pass the buck | Avoid responsibility |
| Get your money’s worth | Receive fair value |
| Money pit | Something that keeps costing money |
| Rolling in dough | Very rich |
| Bread and butter | Main source of income |
| Know which side your bread is buttered | Know who helps you most |
| Breadwinner | Person earning money for the family |
| Take the bread out of someone’s mouth | Take away income |
| Put bread on the table | Provide food/income |
| Sell like hotcakes | Sell very quickly |
| Feather your nest | Save money selfishly |
| Silver lining | Hope or value in a bad situation |
| Strike gold | Find great success |
| Treasure trove | A large collection of valuable things |
| Money for old rope | Easy money for little work |
| Minting money | Making a lot of money easily |
| Cash flow | Movement of money in and out |
| Balance the books | Make accounts equal |
| Bottom line | Final profit or loss |
| Go bust | Go bankrupt |
Conclusion
These 100 idioms about money and finance show how deeply money is connected with language. From saving pennies to striking gold, these sayings make English lively and realistic.
By using them, you can sound smarter, more natural, and even witty. Next time you’re writing an essay, telling a story, or chatting with friends, try adding a money idiom—you’ll get more “bang for your buck”!