money phrases

Money Phrases: A Comprehensive Guide for English Learners

Understanding money-related phrases is essential for effective communication in English, especially in business and daily life. This guide covers common “money phrases,” their meanings, examples, and exercises to test your knowledge.

1. Common Money Phrases and Their Meanings

1.1 “Break the bank”

Meaning: To spend a lot of money or more than you can afford.

Example 1: “Buying that designer bag would break the bank for me.”
Example 2: “We can’t break the bank on this vacation—let’s stick to a budget.”
Example 3: “The repairs didn’t break the bank, but they were still expensive.”

1.2 “Cash cow”

Meaning: A business, product, or investment that generates steady income.

Example 1: “Their new app became a cash cow, earning millions monthly.”
Example 2: “The company’s oldest product is still their cash cow.”
Example 3: “Investing in real estate can be a cash cow if done wisely.”

1.3 “Penny-pincher”

Meaning: Someone who is very careful with money, often to an extreme.

Example 1: “My uncle is such a penny-pincher—he reuses tea bags!”
Example 2: “She’s a penny-pincher, always looking for discounts.”
Example 3: “Being a penny-pincher helped him save for his dream home.”

1.4 “Money talks”

Meaning: Wealth can influence decisions and people.

Example 1: “In politics, money talks—big donors often get favors.”
Example 2: “He got the best lawyer because money talks.”
Example 3: “The company ignored complaints until a wealthy client spoke—money talks.”

2. Exercises to Test Your Knowledge

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct money phrase:

She never buys anything full-price—she’s a real __________.
That luxury car would __________ for most people.
The new software became their company’s __________, bringing in huge profits.
When he donated a million dollars, everyone listened—__________.

Exercise 2: Match the Phrase to Its Meaning

Phrase	Meaning
Break the bank	A steady source of income
Cash cow	Spending too much money
Money talks	Wealth influences decisions
Penny-pincher	Someone extremely frugal