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.
laugh all the way to the bank
Make a lot of money easily.
In a household-budget discussion, “laugh all the way to the bank” was explained as an expression meaning “Make a lot of money easily”.
bring home the bacon
Earn the money a family needs.
While taking part in a financial-planning session, the speaker highlighted “bring home the bacon”, which means “Earn the money a family needs”.
debt of honour
A moral obligation to repay someone.
During a meeting with a financial adviser, the facilitator introduced “debt of honour”, an expression meaning “A moral obligation to repay someone”.
a mere pittance
A very small amount of money.
During a household-budget discussion, the facilitator introduced “a mere pittance”, an expression meaning “A very small amount of money”.
cheap and cheerful
Inexpensive but pleasant or useful.
In a household-budget discussion, participants used “cheap and cheerful” to communicate this idea: “Inexpensive but pleasant or useful”.
be rolling in it
Have a lot of money.
In a financial-planning session, participants used “be rolling in it” to communicate this idea: “Have a lot of money”.
on balance
After considering all the facts.
In a conversation about personal finances, “on balance” was explained as an expression meaning “After considering all the facts”.
there's no such thing as a free lunch
Everything has a cost; nothing is truly free.
In a financial-planning session, participants used “there's no such thing as a free lunch” to communicate this idea: “Everything has a cost; nothing is truly free”.
line your own pockets
Make money dishonestly for yourself.
While taking part in a conversation about personal finances, the speaker highlighted “line your own pockets”, which means “Make money dishonestly for yourself”.
fall on hard times
Experience financial or personal difficulties.
In a financial-planning session, “fall on hard times” was explained as an expression meaning “Experience financial or personal difficulties”.
not have two pennies to rub together
Have almost no money.
During a household-budget discussion, the facilitator introduced “not have two pennies to rub together”, an expression meaning “Have almost no money”.
be the breadwinner
Be the person who earns the family's money.
During a conversation about personal finances, the facilitator introduced “be the breadwinner”, an expression meaning “Be the person who earns the family's money”.
would sell your own grandmother
Do anything for money.
During a household-budget discussion, the trainer referred to “would sell your own grandmother”, a useful expression for the idea “Do anything for money”.
into the bargain
In addition to something else.
During a financial-planning session, the facilitator introduced “into the bargain”, an expression meaning “In addition to something else”.
not be short of a bob or two
Have plenty of money.
During a financial-planning session, the trainer referred to “not be short of a bob or two”, a useful expression for the idea “Have plenty of money”.
feather your own nest
Make money dishonestly for yourself.
While taking part in a household-budget discussion, the speaker highlighted “feather your own nest”, which means “Make money dishonestly for yourself”.
be two a penny
Be very common and not special.
In a meeting with a financial adviser, “be two a penny” was explained as an expression meaning “Be very common and not special”.
give [someone] the hard sell
Try very hard to persuade someone to buy something.
In a conversation about personal finances, participants used “give [someone] the hard sell” to communicate this idea: “Try very hard to persuade someone to buy something”.
be all things to all men
Try to please everyone.
While taking part in a meeting with a financial adviser, the speaker highlighted “be all things to all men”, which means “Try to please everyone”.
[cold/hard] cash
Money in notes and coins.
During a conversation about personal finances, the trainer referred to “[cold/hard] cash”, a useful expression for the idea “Money in notes and coins”.
money for old rope
Very easy money.
In a meeting with a financial adviser, participants used “money for old rope” to communicate this idea: “Very easy money”.
a small fortune
A large amount of money.
In a conversation about personal finances, “a small fortune” was explained as an expression meaning “A large amount of money”.
take [someone] to the cleaner's
Get as much money as possible from someone.
While taking part in a meeting with a financial adviser, the speaker highlighted “take [someone] to the cleaner's”, which means “Get as much money as possible from someone”.
be strapped for cash
Not have enough money.
During a household-budget discussion, the trainer referred to “be strapped for cash”, a useful expression for the idea “Not have enough money”.
have [something] burning a hole in your pocket
Want to spend money immediately.
During a meeting with a financial adviser, the trainer referred to “have [something] burning a hole in your pocket”, a useful expression for the idea “Want to spend money immediately”.