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Episode Thirty-Four:

Money Related Idioms

by Andrea Giordano | Jul 20, 2019

In this lesson, we will discuss Money Idioms. First, we will look at 10 idioms that are phrases that have something to do with money. Then we will discuss 10 idioms that mean money. First let’s look at phrases that have something to do with money or have money in the phrase.

give someone a run for their money

Definition: challenge someone
Example: The Bulls are going to give the Lakers a run for their money this year.

make ends meet

Definition: pay for bills and other needs
Example: I’m not sure how we’re going to make ends meet this month, since we have to pay for the kids’ school fees on the 1st.

head above water

Definition: surviving financially
Example: We are barely keeping our head above water after Mark lost his job.

high roller

Definition: someone who spends a lot of money
Example: Mr. Kato is a high roller, so make sure he has everything he needs.

bring home the bacon

Definition: making a salary, especially for a family

Example: Chris prides himself on bringing home the bacon for his family.

put your money where your mouth is

Definition: show that what you say is true
Example: You say you can juggle, but now it’s time to put your money where your mouth is. Here are three oranges for you. Prove it!

money doesn’t grow on trees

Definition: money isn’t everywhere; there isn’t enough money
Example: I wish we could buy that farmhouse, but money doesn’t grow on trees

cost an arm and a leg

Definition: cost a lot of money
Example: Going to Yale costs and arm and a leg

money’s worth

Definition: entertainment or value, especially when people are paying for that event/item
Example: The Yankees love to give fans their money’s worth at every ballgame

right on the money

Definition: exactly right
Example: Your guess that I am 24 years old was right on the money

Idioms that mean money

bank

Definition: lots of money
Example: We made bank when we sold cold water bottles for $5 each at the music festival

Benjamins

Definition: one-hundred-dollar bills (due to the portrait of Benjamin Franklin on the bills)
Example: That startup company is all about the Benjamins. They will do anything to make money

bucks

Definition: dollars
Example: Our new leather sofa cost 1500 bucks

Cash

Definition: paper money
Example: Do you usually carry cash or credit cards?

change

Definition:
coin money (pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters)
Example: Make sure you bring change for the bus

coin (non-count)

Definition: money
Example: He paid a lot of coin for that Lionel Messi Jersey

G

Definition: one thousand dollars
Example: The bank robber had 100 G’s in his car when the police arrested him

Grand

Definition: one thousand dollars
Example: My brand new truck cost me 30 grand

singles

Definition: one-dollar bills
Example: Do you have any singles? I need to tip the driver

spot

Definition: dollar bill
Example: Can I borrow a ten spot?

Until next time, Happy learning!

Se você quiser aprender mais idiomas, pode fazer meu curso intensivo de idiomas de conversação: 60 idiomas para entender melhor os falantes nativos de inglês em StudyWithAndrea.com/idioms.

The following is a TOEFL Reading practice test to help you prepare for the Reading section of the TOEFL test. 

Instructions: Read the sample passage below and then answer the questions that follow. 

TOEFL Reading Practice Passage

Gorillas are ground-dwelling, predominantly herbivorous apes that inhabit the forest of central Sub-Saharan Africa. The genus Gorilla is divided into two species: the eastern gorillas and the western gorillas (both critically endangered), and either four or five subspecies. They are the largest living primates. The DNA of gorillas is highly similar to that of humans, from 95 to 99% depending on what is included, and they are the next closest living relatives to humans after the chimpanzees and bonobos.

Gorillas' natural habitats cover tropical or subtropical forest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although their range covers a small percentage of Sub-Saharan Africa, gorillas cover a wide range of elevations. The mountain gorilla inhabits the Albertine Rift montane cloud forests of the Virunga Volcanoes, ranging in altitude from 2,200 to 4,300 metres (7,200 to 14,100 ft). Lowland gorillas live in dense forests and lowland swamps and marshes as low as sea level, with western lowland gorillas living in Central West African countries and eastern lowland gorillas living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo near its border with Rwanda.

(#1) Gorillas move around by knuckle-walking, although they sometimes walk upright for short distances, typically while carrying food or in defensive situations. (#2) A 2018 study investigating the hand posture of 77 mountain gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (8% of the population) found that knuckle walking was done only 60% of the time, and they also supported their weight on their fists, the backs of their hands/feet, and on their palms/soles (with the digits flexed). (#3) Studies of gorilla handedness have yielded varying results, with some arguing for no preference for either hand, and others right-hand dominance for the general population. (#4)

The eastern gorilla is more darkly colored than the western gorilla, with the mountain gorilla being the darkest of all. The mountain gorilla also has the thickest hair. The western lowland gorilla can be brown or grayish with a reddish forehead. In addition, gorillas that live in lowland forest are more slender and agile than the more bulky mountain gorillas. The eastern gorilla also has a longer face and broader chest than the western gorilla. Like humans, gorillas have individual fingerprints. Their eye color is dark brown, framed by a black ring around the iris. Gorilla facial structure is described as mandibular prognathism, that is, the mandible protrudes farther out than the maxilla. Adult males also have a prominent sagittal crest.

A gorilla's lifespan is normally between 35 and 40 years, although zoo gorillas may live for 50 years or more. Colo, a female western gorilla at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, was the oldest known gorilla at 60 years of age when she died on 17 January 2017.

 

Questions

1. According to the passage, gorillas can live in

     a. a variety of altitudes.

     b. several different countries in Africa. 

     c. thick forests.

     d. lowland forests only. 

2. All of the following is true about gorillas EXCEPT

     a. they primarily eat smaller animals.

     b. they live in a forest habitat.

     c. their genetics are similar to humans.

     d. their diet consists of vegetation. 

3. Look at the word predominantly in paragraph 1. The word predominantly in this passage refers to

     a. impulsively

     b. unfortunately

     c. mainly

     d. lastly

4. Look at the word inhabits in paragraph 2. The word inhabits in this passage refers to

     a. lives in

     b. protects

     c. goes

     d. works

5. The author implies that

     a. most gorillas prefer using their left hand over their right.

     b. gorillas rarely walk on their knuckles.

     c. gorillas regularly walk upright for long distances.

     d. studies haven't solidly proven which hand gorillas prefer using. 

6. Why does the writer mention that the eastern gorilla also has a longer face and broader chest than the western gorilla?

     a. To validate the importance a broad chest in western gorillas

     b. To define the meaning of "broad"

     c. To highlight a physical difference between types of gorillas

     d. To demonstrate that most gorillas are identical in physical build

7. Which of the following statements is true for BOTH eastern and western gorillas. 

     a. Both eastern and western gorrilas are brown with red foreheads.

     b. Both eastern and western gorrilas have unique fingerprints.

     c. Both eastern and western gorrilas have thin hair.

     d. Both eastern and western gorrilas have light brown eyes.

8. In Paragraph 3, look at the four numbers (#1, #2, #3, #4) that indicate where the following sentence would be added to the passage. 

Such a range of hand postures was previously thought to have been used by only orangutans.

Where would the sentence best fit?

 

(View all the correct answers below.) 

 

Great job! If you're ready to take your TOEFL preparation to the next level, go to StudyWithAndrea.com/TOEFL

Answers: 1. d    2. a    3. c    4. a    5.  d   6. c    7. b    8.  #3  

Click on one of the following links to start speaking clearer English!

1) TOEFL MASTER CLASS
2) free mini-course "punctuation mistakes to avoid"
3) Clear English Pronunciation Video Course
4) English Vocabulary - Audio Files & PDF - TOEFL & IELTS

 

About Andrea

Andrea Giordano is the founder of StudyWithAndrea.com and has taught more than 1,000,000 students from 180 countries. Andrea holds a Master of Education (TESOL) from Shenandoah University, and is the former Executive Director of TESOL and ESL programs at Campbellsville University. Andrea is a proven leader in online English teaching and is driven by her passion to help you speak English clearly.

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