150 Idioms on money - Set 01/15

Posted by Olympiad Tester on Dec 30, 2023

1. Make ends meet

Meaning: To have enough money to cover basic expenses.
Sentence Usage 1: Despite the low-paying job, they managed to make ends meet by budgeting carefully.
Sentence Usage 2: It's challenging to make ends meet in an expensive city without a well-paying job.

2. All that glitters is not gold

Meaning: Not everything that appears valuable or attractive is necessarily so.
Sentence Usage 1: The luxurious lifestyle may seem appealing, but all that glitters is not gold.
Sentence Usage 2: Be cautious before investing in seemingly attractive opportunities; all that glitters is not gold.

3. Spend a penny

Meaning: To use the restroom, typically referring to paying a small fee for public toilets.
Sentence Usage 1: Excuse me, I need to spend a penny before we continue our journey.
Sentence Usage 2: In some European cities, you have to spend a penny to access clean public restrooms.

4. Below par

Meaning: Below the usual or expected standard; not up to par.
Sentence Usage 1: The performance of the team was below par in the recent matches.
Sentence Usage 2: The product's quality was below par, leading to customer complaints.

5. Cold hard cash

Meaning: Physical currency, especially coins and banknotes, as opposed to checks or credit.
Sentence Usage 1: The seller preferred to be paid in cold hard cash for the antique items.
Sentence Usage 2: In some transactions, buyers offer a discount for payment in cold hard cash.

6. Hush money

Meaning: Money paid to maintain someone's silence, typically to prevent them from revealing damaging information.
Sentence Usage 1: The scandalous details were kept under wraps with the help of hush money.
Sentence Usage 2: The celebrity paid hush money to prevent the release of compromising photos.

7. Cut-rate

Meaning: Sold or offered at a reduced price; discounted.
Sentence Usage 1: The store advertised a cut-rate sale on electronics during the holiday season.
Sentence Usage 2: The airline offered cut-rate tickets for a limited period to attract more travelers.

8. Up the ante

Meaning: To increase the level of something, especially a financial investment or a demand.
Sentence Usage 1: The company decided to up the ante by investing more in research and development.
Sentence Usage 2: Negotiators decided to up the ante in the contract discussions by demanding better terms.

9. Cost a pretty penny

Meaning: To be very expensive; to cost a significant amount of money.
Sentence Usage 1: The antique painting may look beautiful, but it will cost a pretty penny.
Sentence Usage 2: Renovating the historic building is expected to cost a pretty penny.

10. Rolling in money

Meaning: Having a lot of money; being wealthy or affluent.
Sentence Usage 1: After the success of his business, he was rolling in money.
Sentence Usage 2: The celebrity seemed to be rolling in money with luxurious cars and mansions.