money doesn't grow on trees
A reminder that funds are limited and must be earned, not assumed to appear easily.
Example: Stop asking for expensive gifts — money doesn't grow on trees.
B216 words · Upper-intermediate
Money & Success vocabulary — B2
Money and success idioms for describing budgeting and spending, with phrases like break even, tighten your belt and keep the wolf from the door.
16 questions
Words in this set
16born with a silver spoon in your mouth
Having started life in a wealthy family, with an easy and privileged upbringing from the very beginning.
Example:
He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and never had to work.
pinch pennies
To be extremely careful with even small amounts of money.
Example:
During the recession, everyone had to pinch pennies.
keep the wolf from the door
To earn just enough to avoid serious poverty or hunger.
Example:
The extra shift each week helped keep the wolf from the door.
tighten your belt
To spend less money and live more carefully than before.
Example:
We had to tighten our belts after the pay cut.
live from paycheck to paycheck
To spend all your earnings before the next payment arrives, with nothing left over.
Example:
Millions of workers live from paycheck to paycheck.
in the money
Having a lot of extra cash, especially after some sudden good luck.
Example:
After the bonus, we felt in the money for once.
penny wise, pound foolish
Careful about saving small amounts while wasting much larger amounts.
Example:
Buying cheap tools that break fast is penny wise, pound foolish.
cost a pretty penny
To be very expensive.
Example:
That watch must have cost a pretty penny.
break even
To end with the same amount you started with, neither gaining nor losing.
Example:
The shop finally broke even after a slow first year.
throw good money after bad
To spend more on something that has already failed.
Example:
Repairing it again is just to throw good money after bad.
pay top dollar
To pay the highest price for something.
Example:
You pay top dollar for anything sold at the airport.
the going rate
The usual price being paid for something at the time.
Example:
Nobody pays the going rate for that work any more.
corner the market
To gain control of the supply of something.
Example:
One firm managed to corner the market in a single winter.
a false economy
A saving that ends up costing more later.
Example:
Cheap boots are a false economy if you walk to work.
have deep pockets
To have a great deal of money available.
Example:
The buyer clearly has have deep pockets and no hurry.
