O M I D
06-24-2013, 11:00 AM
back-of-the-envelope calculation
This expression refers to a quick approximate calculation done informally, as on the back of an envelope.
I don't need the exact amount. Just give me a back-of-the-envelope calculation.
bet your bottom dollar
If you bet your bottom dollar on something, you are absolutely certain of it.
Jack is very punctual. You can bet your bottom dollar he'll be here at 9 o'clock on the dot.
tighten your belt
If you need to tighten your belt, you must spend your money carefully because there is less available.
Another bill? I'll have to tighten my belt this month!
born with a silver spoon in your mouth
A person who is born with a silver spoon in their mouth is born into a very rich family.
She never has to worry about money; she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
on the breadline
People who live on the breadline have a very low income or barely enough money to survive.
Due to the recent crisis, there are more people on the breadline than
ever before.
burn your fingers
If you burn your fingers (or get your fingers burnt), you suffer financially as a result of foolish behaviour.
Jack got his fingers burnt playing on the stock market.
cash cow
A product or service which is a regular source of income for a company is called a cash cow.
His latest invention turned out to be a real cash cow.
cash in your chips
If you cash in your chips, you sell something, especially shares, either because you need the money or because you think the value is going to fall.
Andy cashed in his chips as soon as business started to slow down.
chicken feed
An amount of money considered small or unimportant is called chicken feed.
I got a job during the holidays but the pay was chicken feed.
other side of the coin
When you want to mention a different or contradictory aspect of a situation, you refer to the other side of the coin.
The house is lovely and spacious, but the other side of the coin is that it is far from shops and schools.
cost an arm and a leg
If something costs an arm and a leg, it is very expensive.
The house cost us an arm and a leg, but we have no regrets.
cost the earth
If something costs the earth, it is very expensive indeed.
She wears designer clothes that must cost the earth!
at all costs
If you are determined to obtain or achieve something at all costs, you want it regardless of the expense, effort or sacrifice involved.
The journalist was determined at all costs to get a report from the war zone.
cut one's losses
If you end or withdraw from something that is already failing, in order to reduce the loss of money, time or effort invested in it,
you cut your losses.
The project is heading for failure. Let's cut our losses before it's too late.
This expression refers to a quick approximate calculation done informally, as on the back of an envelope.
I don't need the exact amount. Just give me a back-of-the-envelope calculation.
bet your bottom dollar
If you bet your bottom dollar on something, you are absolutely certain of it.
Jack is very punctual. You can bet your bottom dollar he'll be here at 9 o'clock on the dot.
tighten your belt
If you need to tighten your belt, you must spend your money carefully because there is less available.
Another bill? I'll have to tighten my belt this month!
born with a silver spoon in your mouth
A person who is born with a silver spoon in their mouth is born into a very rich family.
She never has to worry about money; she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
on the breadline
People who live on the breadline have a very low income or barely enough money to survive.
Due to the recent crisis, there are more people on the breadline than
ever before.
burn your fingers
If you burn your fingers (or get your fingers burnt), you suffer financially as a result of foolish behaviour.
Jack got his fingers burnt playing on the stock market.
cash cow
A product or service which is a regular source of income for a company is called a cash cow.
His latest invention turned out to be a real cash cow.
cash in your chips
If you cash in your chips, you sell something, especially shares, either because you need the money or because you think the value is going to fall.
Andy cashed in his chips as soon as business started to slow down.
chicken feed
An amount of money considered small or unimportant is called chicken feed.
I got a job during the holidays but the pay was chicken feed.
other side of the coin
When you want to mention a different or contradictory aspect of a situation, you refer to the other side of the coin.
The house is lovely and spacious, but the other side of the coin is that it is far from shops and schools.
cost an arm and a leg
If something costs an arm and a leg, it is very expensive.
The house cost us an arm and a leg, but we have no regrets.
cost the earth
If something costs the earth, it is very expensive indeed.
She wears designer clothes that must cost the earth!
at all costs
If you are determined to obtain or achieve something at all costs, you want it regardless of the expense, effort or sacrifice involved.
The journalist was determined at all costs to get a report from the war zone.
cut one's losses
If you end or withdraw from something that is already failing, in order to reduce the loss of money, time or effort invested in it,
you cut your losses.
The project is heading for failure. Let's cut our losses before it's too late.