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January is a time when many people feel the pinch after Christmas. Perhaps we splashed out on presents, and splurged in the New Year sales, so we may have to tighten our belts until payday!

Here are some idioms related to being 'strapped for cash':

💰To be broke 🇺🇸/ skint 🇬🇧: To have no money.

Example: I can’t come out tonight—I’m completely broke.

💸 To be hard-up, to be strapped for cash: To have very little money, especially for a short period of time.

Example: They’re not really as hard up as they say they are.

💰Money is tight: When there isn’t much money available to spend.

Example: Money is a bit tight this month, so we’re avoiding eating out.

💰It’s hard to make ends meet: Struggling to cover basic living expenses with your income.

Example: With rising rent costs, it’s hard to make ends meet.

💰To tighten your belt: To spend less money due to financial constraints.

Example: After losing his job, he had to tighten his belt and cut unnecessary expenses.

💰To feel the pinch: To experience financial pressure.

Example: Many families are feeling the pinch as energy costs rise.

🍜 To live on a shoestring budget: To live very frugally or spend very little.

Example: During college, I lived on a shoestring budget and ate instant noodles every day.

🌴Money doesn’t grow on trees: A reminder that money is limited and must be earned.

Example: Stop wasting your allowance—money doesn’t grow on trees!

🤑 I'm not made of money: A way of saying you don’t have unlimited funds, often used to refuse expensive requests.

Example: “Can we go on a cruise this year?” “Sorry, but I’m not made of money!”

🛍️ To go on a spending spree: To buy a lot of items in a short period.

Example: He went on a spending spree after getting his bonus.

🛍️ To splurge/ splash out on: To spend a lot of money, often on a treat for yourself.

Example: I splurged on a new phone even though my old one still worked.

PRACTICE

1. I can’t come out tonight—I’m completely b_______/ s____________.
2. Money is a bit t_______ this month, so we’re avoiding eating out.
3. With rising rent costs, it’s hard to make e_______ meet.
4. After losing his job, he had to t___________ his belt and cut unnecessary expenses.
5. Many families are feeling the p__________ as energy costs rise..
6. During college, I lived on a sh____________ budget and ate instant noodles every day.
7. Stop wasting your allowance—money doesn’t g________ on trees!
8. “Can we go on a cruise this year?” “Sorry, but I’m not m_______ of money!”
9. He went on a spending sp______ after getting his bonus.
10. I sp___________ on a new phone even though my old one still worked.

⚠️ Idioms are dangerous! Only use idioms that you feel very familiar and confident with.