Idioms: money 7

Idioms use language metaphorically rather than literally. If you paid 'through the nose' for something, it means you paid too high a price for it (the metaphorical meaning) not that you paid for something with money that came out of the middle of your face (the literal meaning).

Idioms are also fixed groups of words so you can't change the wording of an idiom. For example, you can say 'That shop is a real rip off' to describe a shop that overcharges its customers but you can't say 'It's a real tear off'.

Idioms - rich and poor:


I'm so broke/I'm flat broke.
I don't have any money. [sudah pokai/betul2 kering]

....I can't go to the movies -- I'm flat broke.
...Is Social Security going broke (= changing to a condition in which it has no money)?.
...I can't afford to go on holiday this year - I'm (flat) broke.
...INFORMAL Many small businesses went broke (= lost all their money) during the recession. [gulung tikar]

I don't have a bean.
I don't have any money.

....Most people in the area are unemployed and don't have a bean to spend.


You need to tighten your belt.
You should try to spend less. [kurangkan belanja]

....I've had to tighten my belt since I stopped working full-time.


He's flush (with cash).
He's got a lot of money. [tengah kaya]

....I've just been paid so I'm feeling flush.
....The Pequot tribe in Connecticut is flush with millions from a new gambling casino.


She's rolling in it.
She's very rich. [melimpah2]

...If they can afford a yacht, they must be rolling in it.


Idioms - expensive and cheap:


We really splashed out on our new car.
We spent a lot of money on our new car [banyak habis duit disebabkan]-informal

....They splashed out £3000 on a holiday.
....The wedding was cheaper than we expected so we splashed out on a honeymoon in the Caribbean. [often + o]
....I hadn't been to a restaurant for ages so I decided to splash out.

This dress cost me an arm and a leg.
This dress was very expensive. [menghabiskan duit aku]

....I'd love to buy a Rolls-Royce, but they cost an arm and a leg.
....These shoes cost me an arm and a leg.

a small fortune INFORMAL
a large sum of money:

....You'll have to spend a small fortune in legal fees if you decide to sue for compensation.
.....Her hair ought to look good - she spends a small fortune on it.


it'll cost you INFORMAL
it will be very expensive:It'll cost you to have your roof mended.

This bag was dirt cheap.
This bag wasn't expensive. [ begitu murah]

.....This may seem like a great deal of money but in advertising terms it is dirt cheap.
...Used computers are dirt cheap (= very cheap).


daylight robbery noun [cekik darah]
[U] (US ALSO highway robbery) INFORMAL
a situation in which you are charged a lot too much for something:

.....£4 for an orange juice? That's just daylight robbery!
....I can't believe the price of a cup of coffee here. It's daylight robbery!
This cafe charges very high prices for its coffee
....Three pounds for an orange juice? It's daylight robbery!

rent (PAYMENT) noun [C/U]
a fixed amount of money paid or received regularly for the use of usually an apartment, house, or business space

...Rents in this building are ridiculously high.
...How much rent do you pay?
....Are there were any apartments for rent (= available) there?....

rent - verb [T]
....I rented a car for the trip to Boston.


rentalnoun [C/U] the act of renting, an amount paid in rent, or something rented

....boat/car rental