This lesson trains 25 C2 idioms on Money & Personal Finance. Idioms signal fluency when used naturally — forcing them into every sentence hurts your score. Practise in the runner first, then revisit every expression in the glossary. Review mode after completion shows how each idiom fits its context.
not break the bank
Not cost a lot.
In a meeting with a financial adviser, “not break the bank” was explained as an expression meaning “Not cost a lot”.
go up in the world
Improve your social position or income.
While taking part in a conversation about personal finances, the speaker highlighted “go up in the world”, which means “Improve your social position or income”.
put your money where your mouth is
Support your opinions with action or money.
While taking part in a household-budget discussion, the speaker highlighted “put your money where your mouth is”, which means “Support your opinions with action or money”.
out of your own pocket
Using your own money.
While taking part in a financial-planning session, the speaker highlighted “out of your own pocket”, which means “Using your own money”.
money to burn
More money than you need.
While taking part in a meeting with a financial adviser, the speaker highlighted “money to burn”, which means “More money than you need”.
saddled with debt
Given a burdensome amount of debt.
In a household-budget discussion, “saddled with debt” was explained as an expression meaning “Given a burdensome amount of debt”.
filthy rich
Very rich.
In a household-budget discussion, “filthy rich” was explained as an expression meaning “Very rich”.
pay over the odds
Pay more than something is worth.
In a household-budget discussion, participants used “pay over the odds” to communicate this idea: “Pay more than something is worth”.
penny-pinching
Trying to spend as little as possible.
During a meeting with a financial adviser, the facilitator introduced “penny-pinching”, an expression meaning “Trying to spend as little as possible”.
no expense spared
With a lot of money spent to make it excellent.
During a household-budget discussion, the trainer referred to “no expense spared”, a useful expression for the idea “With a lot of money spent to make it excellent”.
razor-sharp
Extremely sharp, clear or quick.
During a meeting with a financial adviser, the trainer referred to “razor-sharp”, a useful expression for the idea “Extremely sharp, clear or quick”.
pound of flesh
A harsh or unfair demand for repayment.
In a financial-planning session, “pound of flesh” was explained as an expression meaning “A harsh or unfair demand for repayment”.
monopoly money
Money that seems worthless or is spent carelessly.
In a financial-planning session, participants used “monopoly money” to communicate this idea: “Money that seems worthless or is spent carelessly”.
hard up
Short of money.
During a financial-planning session, the trainer referred to “hard up”, a useful expression for the idea “Short of money”.
gravy train
An easy, often dishonest way of making money.
In a meeting with a financial adviser, participants used “gravy train” to communicate this idea: “An easy, often dishonest way of making money”.
scrimp and save
Live very economically to save money.
While taking part in a conversation about personal finances, the speaker highlighted “scrimp and save”, which means “Live very economically to save money”.
pay through the nose
Pay much more than a fair or reasonable price.
During a conversation about personal finances, the trainer referred to “pay through the nose”, a useful expression for the idea “Pay much more than a fair or reasonable price”.
rags to riches
From poverty to wealth.
In a conversation about personal finances, participants used “rags to riches” to communicate this idea: “From poverty to wealth”.
make ends meet
Have just enough money to pay for necessities.
In a conversation about personal finances, “make ends meet” was explained as an expression meaning “Have just enough money to pay for necessities”.
not be worth a dime
Have little or no value.
During a conversation about personal finances, the facilitator introduced “not be worth a dime”, an expression meaning “Have little or no value”.
live on a shoestring
Live on very little money.
During a household-budget discussion, the facilitator introduced “live on a shoestring”, an expression meaning “Live on very little money”.
the penny drops
You suddenly understand something.
In a meeting with a financial adviser, participants used “the penny drops” to communicate this idea: “You suddenly understand something”.
receive a windfall
Get an unexpected amount of money.
During a financial-planning session, the facilitator introduced “receive a windfall”, an expression meaning “Get an unexpected amount of money”.
as poor as a church mouse
Very poor.
During a financial-planning session, the facilitator introduced “as poor as a church mouse”, an expression meaning “Very poor”.
throw money down the drain
Waste money.
During a financial-planning session, the trainer referred to “throw money down the drain”, a useful expression for the idea “Waste money”.