An idiom is a group of words which have a different meaning when used together from the one they would have if you took the meaning of each word separately.

Here are some common money and finance idioms. You can incorporate them in your vocabulary and be well equipped and informed when it comes to money and finance.

• To cut corners. If you cut corners, this may mean you have a problem with budgeting. Try not to spend too much money as you should. This may also mean to try to do the job in a cheaper way. This may mean buying cheaper materials to finish a project instead of the more expensive ones. Here is an example on how you can use it in a sentence. E.g. Even if we’re on a budget, try not to cut too many corners.
• To cost/To charge the earth. This idiom means, it’s too expensive or costs a lot of money. g. It costs the earth to buy a sports car.
• To cut one’s losses. This means that you should abandon a venture or a business in order not to lose more money. E.g. I think we should cut or losses and sell the business.
• To feel the pinch. If you feel the pinch, this means you are starting to notice the lack of money and finances you have. g. Mary has been unemployed for many months and she’s starting to feel the pinch.
• On a shoestring. To do something in a shoestring is doing it without many financial budget or resources. One tries to do things cheap. One tries to be economical. E.g. It’s hard to run a business in a shoestring budget.
• Money spinner. A money spinner is something that is successful and generates a lot of money. E.g. It’s not easy to run a business idea into a money spinner.