RICH and POOR 10 Useful English Expressions, Idioms and Phrases

RICH and POOR 10 Useful English Expressions, Idioms and Phrases you MUST know!

Explanation + Extra Practice

Here are easy explanations for idioms about being rich or poor:

1. To be broke

  • Meaning: To have no money at all.
  • Example: I can’t go to the movies because I’m broke.

2. To be rolling in dough

  • Meaning: To have a lot of money.
  • Example: After he got a big promotion, he’s rolling in dough.

3. To make a killing

  • Meaning: To earn a lot of money very quickly.
  • Example: She made a killing when she sold her house.

4. To make ends meet

  • Meaning: To have just enough money to pay for basic things like food and rent.
  • Example: It’s hard to make ends meet with such high rent.

5. Living paycheck to paycheck

  • Meaning: Spending all your money from one paycheck before the next one comes, with no savings.
  • Example: Most people are living paycheck to paycheck and can’t save any money.

6. Not have a dime to my name

  • Meaning: To have no money at all.
  • Example: I don’t have a dime to my name after paying for groceries.

7. To be filthy rich

  • Meaning: To be extremely wealthy.
  • Example: That famous actor is filthy rich.

8. To be loaded

  • Meaning: To have a lot of money.
  • Example: He’s loaded after winning the lottery.

9. To be a bazillionaire

  • Meaning: A funny way to say someone is incredibly rich (like a billionaire).
  • Example: After his business success, he feels like a bazillionaire.

10. Money is tight

  • Meaning: You don’t have a lot of money to spend.
  • Example: Money is tight this month, so we’re cutting back on eating out.

Extra Practice

Quiz: Idioms for Rich and Poor

Choose the correct meaning or complete the sentence using the idioms about being rich or poor.

1. What does “to be broke” mean?
a) To have no money
b) To save a lot of money
c) To have extra money

2. “After selling his company for millions, he feels like a ____.”
a) bazillionaire
b) broke person
c) filthy rich person

3. If someone is “rolling in dough,” what does it mean?
a) They are poor.
b) They have a lot of money.
c) They are saving for the future.

4. What does “to make ends meet” mean?
a) To earn more than enough money
b) To have just enough money to pay for basic needs
c) To save money for the future

5. “After buying the car, I am completely ____. I can’t even afford lunch!”
a) rolling in dough
b) filthy rich
c) broke

6. What does “money is tight” mean?
a) Money is plentiful
b) There is not much money to spend
c) Someone is saving money

7. “This month, ____, so we’re cutting back on extra expenses.”
a) money is tight
b) rolling in dough
c) making a killing

8. What does “to be filthy rich” mean?
a) To be extremely wealthy
b) To have no money
c) To be saving money

9. “Many people are ____ and can’t save for emergencies.”
a) living paycheck to paycheck
b) making a killing
c) rolling in dough

10. “That famous celebrity is ____. He owns several mansions and luxury cars.”
a) broke
b) filthy rich
c) making ends meet

11. What does “to make a killing” mean?
a) To lose money
b) To earn a small amount of money
c) To earn a large amount of money quickly

12. “She ____ by investing in real estate last year.”
a) made a killing
b) made ends meet
c) was broke

13. What does “to be a bazillionaire” mean?
a) To have a little bit of money
b) To be extremely rich, like a billionaire
c) To save a lot of money

14. “It’s hard for them to ____, especially with rent being so expensive.”
a) be loaded
b) make ends meet
c) be filthy rich

15. What does “to be loaded” mean?
a) To be poor
b) To owe money
c) To have a lot of money

16. Complete the sentence: “After losing his job, he ____. He had to borrow money just to buy groceries.”
a) was filthy rich
b) didn’t have a dime to his name
c) was loaded

17. What does “living paycheck to paycheck” mean?
a) To save money from each paycheck
b) To spend all your money before the next paycheck, with no savings
c) To have more than enough money for each month

18. Complete the sentence: “He’s ____. He could buy the entire neighborhood if he wanted to.”
a) loaded
b) broke
c) making ends meet

19. What does “not have a dime to my name” mean?
a) To have a lot of money.
b) To have no money at all.
c) To have exactly 10 cents.

20. Complete the sentence: “I don’t ____ after paying for groceries.”
a) have a dime to my name
b) make ends meet
c) make a killing


Answer Key:

  1. a, 2. a, 3. b, 4. b, 5. c, 6. b, 7. a, 8. a, 9. a, 10. b, 11. c, 12. a, 13. b, 14. b, 15. c, 16. b, 17. b, 18. a, 19. b, 20. a

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