{"id":23442,"date":"2020-11-16T13:00:18","date_gmt":"2020-11-16T13:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lingobest.com\/free-online-english-course\/?p=23442"},"modified":"2022-12-19T08:13:47","modified_gmt":"2022-12-19T08:13:47","slug":"15-english-money-idioms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lingobest.com\/free-online-english-course\/15-english-money-idioms\/","title":{"rendered":"Money Talk: Check Out 15 Money Idioms to Talk about Cash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It doesn\u2019t matter if you have just started studying English or if you have been studying it for a while now…you have probably heard about idioms (and maybe even struggled to understand them). Today we will teach you what an idiom<\/a> is, explore the difference between idioms and phrasal verbs, and review 15 money idioms that will help you talk about money like a native. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Review: What are idioms in English?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most English students have questions<\/span> about idioms. It is common to hear people say that studying them is important (and it is!), but before diving into the world of idioms we must understand what they are. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All languages have idioms. Native speakers use them all the time without ever thinki<\/span>ng about their meanings. Idioms are groups of words. Those groups together mean something different than what those words mean separately. They have a lot to do with the culture of the people who use it and that\u2019s why we can\u2019t always translate them. Someti<\/span>mes, even if we can\u2019t translate it, it is possible to have a<\/span>n equivalence <\/span>in another language. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 For instance, while English speakers say \u201c<\/span>It is raining cats and dogs!<\/span><\/i>\u201d to say that it is raining a lot, Brazilian Portuguese speakers will say \u201c<\/span>Est\u00e1 chovendo canivete<\/span><\/i>!\u201d, which literally means \u201cIt is raining pocket knives!\u201d. You probably have some equivalent expression to that in your native language, don\u2019t you? <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some examples of idioms that you have probably heard before are: <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The test was a <\/span>piece of cake<\/span><\/b>! <\/span><\/p>

A piece of cake = something that it is very easy <\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

No, I can\u2019t afford that. It <\/span>costs an arm and a leg<\/span><\/b>! <\/span><\/p>

To cost an arm and a leg = something that it is a very expensive <\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m so tired. Let\u2019s <\/span>call it a day<\/span><\/b>, shall we? <\/span><\/p>

Call it a day = stop working on something <\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Are phrasal verbs and idioms the same thing?<\/span> <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Phrasal verbs are widely used in English. One could think phrasal verbs and idioms are the same thing, but they aren\u2019t. Let\u2019s exp<\/span>lore the difference between a phrasal verb and an idiom.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A phrasal verb is a combination of a verb (a word used to describe an action or state) and a particle, which can be either a preposition or an adverb. The meaning of the combination of both words is different from what the words mean separately.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summary, the difference between phrasal verbs and idioms is that an idiom is a group of words that together mean something different while a phrasal verb is the combination of a verb and a preposition or adverb that also means something different than what the words used in the phrasal verb often mean. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phrasal Verb = Verb + particle (preposition or adverb)<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Idioms = Group of words<\/span><\/b> <\/span>which have a meaning that is different from each word’s individual meaning<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Examples of <\/span>phrasal verbs<\/span><\/b>: <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Catch up<\/span><\/b> = to reach the same quality or standard as someone or something else; <\/span><\/li>
  • Hold on<\/span><\/b> = used to tell someone to wait for a short time; <\/span><\/li>
  • Calm down<\/span><\/b> = to stop feeling upset, angry, or excited, or to stop someone feeling this way. <\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Learn 15 English idioms<\/span> about money<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Money. We all need it, we all want it. Even though we think and talk about money at all times, in some cultures people don\u2019t talk openly about money. Because of that, idioms can come in handy whenever we want to discuss money (or the lack of it). We will teach you some of them so that you can have conversations about your finances like a native speaker.  <\/span>Take a look at this list of money idioms<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. break the bank <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This English idiom is a verb phrase that means something costs too much <\/span>money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: That phone is very expensive. It will break the bank.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. bring home the bacon<\/strong> <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This idioms functions as a verb, and it means to earn money for a family to live on. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: She needs to work. Someone has <\/span>to bring home the bacon<\/span><\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

     <\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"money
    She needs to work. Someone has to bring home the bacon<\/strong>. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    3. bread and butter <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This English idiom phrase means a job that provides someone with the money they need to live. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: I can\u2019t miss work again. It\u2019s my <\/span>bread and butter<\/span><\/b>.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

     4. money doesn\u2019t grow on trees <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This phrase is an idiom that serves to warn someone that money is a limited resource and it shouldn\u2019t be spent in a careless manner. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: Mary, turn<\/span> off the lights when you leave your room. I have to pay the light bill and <\/span>money doesn\u2019t grow on trees<\/span><\/b>, you know!<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

     5. money talks<\/strong> <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"money
    He picked up the tab for lunch.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    This is an expression used to talk about rich people or organizations that can\u2019t get whatever they want because they have money. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: In order to do well here, you need to be rich. <\/span>Money talks<\/span><\/b> around this place.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

     6. pick up the tab <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This English idioms functions as a verb and it means to pay for something, especially something someone else has used or bought. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: My boss will <\/span>pick up the tab<\/span><\/b> for lunch. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

     <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    7. time is money <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This idiom is used to remember you shouldn’t waste time because whenever you do it you are missing the opportunity to earn money. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: Get off the couch, Tom! <\/span>Time is money!<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    8. a penny saved is a penny earned <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This English idiom is an expression that means it is wise to save money<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: You should always put some money aside. My dad always says that <\/span>a penny saved is a penny earned<\/span><\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    9. born with a silver spoon in your mouth <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This expression (used with a form of the verb to be<\/em>) means to be born to a rich family<\/span>. Usually people who are born with a silver spoon in their mouth have everything they want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: Sue’s parents give her everything she wants. She <\/span>was born with a silver spoon in her mouth<\/span><\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    10. daylight robbery <\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This English idiom about money means that something is really expensive. It refers to an exorbitant fee for a product or service. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: The prices here are <\/span>daylight robbery<\/span><\/b>.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    11. fast buck <\/strong>(quick buck<\/strong><\/span>)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    These expressions refers to money made easily or quickly. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: You can make a <\/span>fast buck<\/span><\/b> by selling hot dogs. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    12. flat broke <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This phrase means you don\u2019t have any money at all. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: Three years have passed since John had a job. He is <\/span>flat broke<\/span><\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    13. go dutch <\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This English idiom functions as a verb and it means to share the cost of something, usually a meal, with somebody. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: We <\/span>went dutch<\/span><\/b> last night. Dinner cost $20 each. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    14. live from hand to mouth <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This idiom also serves as a verb and it means to have just enough money to live on, to have no money to spare. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: Jenna had <\/span>to live from hand to mouth<\/span><\/b> until the end of the year. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    15. save for a rainy day <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    This English idiom means to save money for a time when it might be needed. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: Luckily, Will had <\/span>saved for a rainy day<\/span><\/b>.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

     <\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"money
    People use a piggy bank<\/strong> to save coins.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    Practice using the money idioms<\/span> in English<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Do you remember the 15 English idioms about money? Test yourself with this activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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