Task 2

Students will read the meaning of the following idioms related to money. Teacher

will say the idiom and ask for the meaning or vice versa.

Due date: Tuesday, June 20th

20 idioms about money

To help you understand when and where to use idioms about money,
we’ve compiled a list of the most commonly used phrases, their meaning,
and examples of how to use these idioms in a sentence.

1 Break the bank

Meaning: To be extremely expensive or spend all of one’s money in one

shot.

Example: Joanna struggled to find a car that would last her a while but
wouldn’t break the bank.

2 Bring home the bacon

Meaning: Earning a living.

Example: It’s hard work, but someone has to bring home the bacon.

3 Time is money

Meaning: Time is a valuable resource. Used to emphasize that time is

not a free commodity.

Example: Why are we sitting around doing nothing? Time is money. Let’s
get to work!

4 A penny saved is a penny earned

Meaning: Meant to encourage people to save money, specifically through

a savings or investment account. May also be used to describe money-
saving practices in the workplace.

Example: You should invest in a retirement plan. After all, a penny saved
is a penny earned.

5 Born with a silver spoon in your mouth

Meaning: Used to describe someone who comes from a wealthy family,

and is typically used to show resentment or disdain.

Example: They’re not sitting with us in economy class. They were born
with a silver spoon in their mouth, so they only fly first class.

6 Fork over
Meaning: To hand over a large sum of money, usually begrudgingly.

Example: I had to fork over $500 just to get my car out of the towing
impound.

7 Looks/feels like a million bucks

Meaning: A phrase that means someone either looks really good or is in

a good mood.

Example: Did you see her new hairstyle? She looks like a million bucks.

Example: I slept great. I feel like a million bucks.

8 Go Dutch

Meaning: To split a cost evenly between two people.

Example: If you’re unsure who’s paying for the date, you should just go
Dutch.

9 Gravy train

Meaning: A job that pays a lot of money for minimal effort.

Example: I’m riding the gravy train with this job; all I do is sit at a desk
and watch movies, and I’m making $40 an hour.

10 Cash cow
Meaning: A business venture that is easy to operate and generates a lot
of revenue.

Example: Ticketmaster knew that implementing new fees would be a

cash cow for their business.

11 Money doesn’t grow on trees

Meaning: Used to remind someone that money is limited and shouldn’t

be spent carelessly.

Example: We’re not going back to the mall—money doesn’t grow on

trees!

12 Money talks

Meaning: Describes how money can be used to influence an individual or

entity.

Example: The executive wasn’t worried about their critics in Congress.

After all, money talks.

13 Balance the books

Meaning: To ensure that money spent (expenses) doesn’t exceed money

brought in (revenue). Can be used when discussing personal or business
finances.
Example: Our accountant helps us balance the books at the end of the
fiscal year.

14 Cook the books

Meaning: To manipulate financial data through unethical or illegal

accounting practices to make it seem as if you have more money than
you actually have.

Example: Shareholders were shocked when they found out the company
had been cooking the books and was in serious debt.

15 Pick up the tab

Meaning: To pay for something.

Example: Put your card away; I’ll pick up the tab this time.

16 Save for a rainy day

Meaning: To put money aside in case of an emergency, such as losing

your job or a major medical expense.

Example: They could’ve used their bonus to buy a new motorcycle, but
they decided to save it for a rainy day instead.

17 Highway robbery

Meaning: Being charged an extremely high price for something.

Example: You want $12 for a beer? That’s highway robbery.

18 Quick buck

Meaning: Money made in a short period of time.

Example: You can make a quick buck by selling bottled water to people
in line for the show.

19 Flat broke

Meaning: To have very little or no money.

Example: I can’t even afford fast food—I’m flat broke.

20 Tighten your belt

Meaning: To spend less money or to live frugally.

Example: With no signs of inflation slowing down, the company is going

to have to tighten its belt to avoid any money problems.