Expressions & Idioms: We Need to Talk About Money

July 26, 2017 - Priscila Pereira

1 Comment

Hey, friends? How are things?

This is a new post about expressions & idioms in English. In this post, I will show you 5 different verbs and idioms we can use to talk about money!I will show you 5 money expressions and how to use them!Idioms and expressions are very important. Native speakers use these expressions all the time. Moreover, the more idioms  & expressions you use the more you are going to sound like a native speaker.

Think of your native language. Imagine all the cool expressions, phrases, and proverbs you speak on a regular basis. The same happens to English. I want to inspire you to study more expressions in English by showing you today just a few money related expressions native speakers use all the time. So, are you ready?

 

Chip in

This is a verb nice verb that means to contribute money to pay for something, for example in a group of people, everybody chips in to help buy a present for someone. Have you ever contributed money, in the office, to buy a present for your boss? I imagined all the department helped with a little bit, right? That’s exactly what “chip in” means. It gives this idea. Look at some more examples:

It is dad’s birthday next week, what if we all chip in and buy him a really nice present? I bet that together we can get him a much better present!

In this example, a son or daughter is talking to other people and giving the suggestion of buying only one present. Instead of buying presents individually, they could “chip in” money and get a very nice present, but only one. Have you ever done that? I certainly have. My parents were very happy. I also do this with a group of friends. We chip in and always buy a nice a present for each other.

For last week’s party, everyone chipped in with only 5 dollars. That’s why we didn’t have enough drinks. If we want to have this party again next month, we all need to chip in with more money

In this example, I am talking about a party and how people contributed with only 5 dollars. Everbody helped with this amount of money but it was enough to buy all the drinks they needed. For future plans, people will need to contribute, to chip in with more money.

 

Do you go Dutch when you go on a first day?

Go Dutch

I Love this expression. It means to share in the cost of a meal or another event with someone. Depending on    the situations I am totally in favor of going Dutch (going out with friends or even with a loved one for    example), but if it is the first date, I’m totally against it. What do you think? are you in favor or against going  Dutch? Let’s see more examples

 

They are such a modern couple. Whenever Jill and Jim go out for dinner, they always go Dutch!

In this example, I’m saying that Jill and Jim always share the costs (the expenses, the price) of the dinner. Cool, right?

 

A steal

Another nice idiom. If something is a steal, it is very cheap.  Take a look at some examples:

Mary: I just got a leather jacket for only 10 bucks! (bucks = dollars)

Me: Oh My God! What a steal! You are so lucky!

 

 

In this short conversation, I’m saying the leather jacket was only 10 dollars which is very very cheap (a steal)

This dress was a steal! I only paid 20 dollars.

In this example, I am also saying the dress was very cheap (a steal)

 

A rip-off

 

 

If  “a steal” means something cheap, a rip-off means the opposite.  If something is a rip-off, it is very expensive. It also means that what you paid for that specific product or service is not worth that money, that is to say, you paid too much for something that is not that/so valuable or you should not pay so much money for that

I cannot believe you paid 400 dollars for this dress. what a rip-off!

In this example, I’m saying that paying 400 dollars for that dress was too much money, it was too expensive

I would never pay 100 dollars to see this show. It is a rip-off

In this example, I’m saying that I wouldn’t pay 100 dollars to see that show, probably because it is not worth it, it is too much money for that kind of show.

(not) worth a dime

If you say something is NOT worth a dime, it means it has NO value, it is not worth anything

Are you kidding, this is not the original collection of stamps I was looking for. This collection is not worth a dime! It is useless!

In this example, I’m saying that collection of stamps is not the “original” one, so it has NO value. It is not worth a dime!

 

Now you know 5 different expressions about money. Which one do you like the most? Let me know in the comments!

How about an exercise? Write 2 sentences in the comments. Choose 2 expressions and let your imagination flow! I hope to see some fun sentences here in the comments!

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Teacher Prix

Priscila Pereira

Starbucks and TV Series lover: juggling with teaching, blogging, and a YouTube life! I’m teacher Prix and I want to help you talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime in English! This blog is for English speakers who are looking for an effective blog. Get inspired by hundreds of different posts for all English levels, so that you can finally learn English easily and effectively on the internet.

One thought on “Expressions & Idioms: We Need to Talk About Money

  • Angela Orsalino

    October 30, 2017 at 17:17

    Dear Teacher Prix,

    I´m following you. I loved your videos on Youtube and posts.
    Your lessons are very valuable and it worth it.

    My two sentences with the expressions about money:

    1. I want to visit Germany in my next vacation in July, 2018 but the tickets I tried to book are a rip-off.
    2. I like to go out with my friends and we usually go dutch the bills.

    Could you Please correct my sentences.

    Best regards,

    Angela

    Reply

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