Some people have a lot of money or many things. When we talk about someone being rich, we don’t always say it directly. Instead, we often use idioms to make it sound more fun or interesting.
Idioms are phrases that don’t always mean exactly what the words say. They help us describe ideas in a special way. In this article, you’ll learn idioms that people use when talking about being rich. These idioms can make your speaking and writing more colorful and fun.
Idioms for Rich
1. Rolling in dough
Meaning: To have a lot of money.
Samples: Ever since she got that job, she’s rolling in dough. / He must be rolling in dough with all those new gadgets.
To Put it Another Way: He has lots of money. / She is very rich.
2. Filthy rich
Meaning: Extremely wealthy.
Samples: That celebrity is filthy rich. / He became filthy rich after selling his company.
To Put it Another Way: They have more money than they can spend. / They’re super rich.
3. Made of money
Meaning: Having lots of money.
Samples: She’s not made of money, so don’t ask for more toys. / He acts like he’s made of money.
To Put it Another Way: He’s very wealthy. / She seems really rich.
4. Born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth
Meaning: Born into a rich family.
Samples: He never had to work; he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. / She was born with a silver spoon, so school was always easy for her.
To Put it Another Way: They were rich from the start. / They had everything early on.
5. Loaded
Meaning: Very rich.
Samples: That guy is loaded look at his car! / She’s loaded and owns three houses.
To Put it Another Way: They have lots of money. / They are very wealthy.
6. Sitting on a goldmine
Meaning: Having something very valuable.
Samples: That land is worth a lot he’s sitting on a goldmine. / Her old comic books are a goldmine.
To Put it Another Way: They own something worth a lot. / They could get rich from it.
7. Raking it in
Meaning: Making a lot of money quickly.
Samples: He’s raking it in with his new business. / They rake it in during the holidays.
To Put it Another Way: They’re earning a lot. / They’re making money fast.
8. In the money
Meaning: Having lots of money.
Samples: Since she won the contest, she’s in the money. / He’s in the money now after that deal.
To Put it Another Way: He’s rich now. / She has plenty of money.
9. Money to burn
Meaning: Having extra money and spending it freely.
Samples: He has money to burn and buys new shoes every week. / They must have money to burn with that big vacation.
To Put it Another Way: They spend a lot. / They have more than enough money.
10. Worth a fortune
Meaning: Very valuable or expensive.
Samples: That necklace is worth a fortune. / Her house is worth a fortune now.
To Put it Another Way: It’s really valuable. / It costs a lot.
11. Living the high life
Meaning: Living in a very comfortable and rich way.
Samples: He’s living the high life in his big mansion. / She travels the world she’s living the high life.
To Put it Another Way: They live fancy. / Their life is full of luxury.
12. Deep pockets
Meaning: Having a lot of money.
Samples: That company has deep pockets. / He must have deep pockets to afford that school.
To Put it Another Way: They have lots of money. / They can spend big.
13. Cash cow
Meaning: A thing or person that brings in lots of money.
Samples: That new product is a cash cow. / Her shop is a cash cow during holidays.
To Put it Another Way: It earns a lot. / It brings in money easily.
14. Money talks
Meaning: Rich people have power or influence.
Samples: He got the last ticket money talks. / Money talks when buying rare things.
To Put it Another Way: Money helps you get what you want. / It gives power.
15. Strike it rich
Meaning: To suddenly become rich.
Samples: He struck it rich in real estate. / They struck it rich with their new app.
To Put it Another Way: They became rich fast. / They found great success.
16. Have it made
Meaning: To have a very easy or rich life.
Samples: She has it made with her new job. / If you win that prize, you’ll have it made.
To Put it Another Way: Life is easy now. / They don’t have to worry.
17. Loaded with cash
Meaning: Carrying or having lots of money.
Samples: He’s loaded with cash today. / That girl is always loaded with cash.
To Put it Another Way: They have a lot of money. / They’re carrying a lot.
18. Rolling in it
Meaning: To have a lot of money.
Samples: Ever since the lottery, she’s rolling in it. / They must be rolling in it to buy that.
To Put it Another Way: They’re very wealthy. / They have tons of money.
19. Big bucks
Meaning: A large amount of money.
Samples: That job pays big bucks. / He spent big bucks on that bike.
To Put it Another Way: It costs or earns a lot. / It’s expensive.
20. Live like a king
Meaning: To live in luxury.
Samples: She lives like a king in that fancy house. / He eats out every night he lives like a king.
To Put it Another Way: They live in style. / They enjoy comfort.
21. Fat cat
Meaning: A very rich and powerful person.
Samples: The company’s fat cats made big profits. / He’s a fat cat in the business world.
To Put it Another Way: He’s rich and powerful. / They run big things.
22. Golden touch
Meaning: Always making money from things.
Samples: She has the golden touch everything she sells works. / He has a golden touch with ideas.
To Put it Another Way: Everything they do brings money. / They always succeed.
23. Sitting pretty
Meaning: In a good, rich, or safe place.
Samples: After that deal, she’s sitting pretty. / They’re sitting pretty with all their savings.
To Put it Another Way: They’re in a great spot. / They’re doing well.
24. Have a nest egg
Meaning: Having saved money for the future.
Samples: They have a nest egg for retirement. / I’m building a nest egg for college.
To Put it Another Way: They have savings. / They’re prepared financially.
25. High roller
Meaning: Someone who spends a lot of money.
Samples: He’s a high roller at the casino. / She’s a high roller when shopping.
To Put it Another Way: They spend big. / They love fancy things.
26. Like money grows on trees
Meaning: Spending like money is endless.
Samples: Don’t act like money grows on trees. / She shops like money grows on trees.
To Put it Another Way: Spending too much. / Acting like money is free.
27. Breadwinner
Meaning: The main person who earns money in a home.
Samples: Mom is the breadwinner in our family. / He became the breadwinner after graduation.
To Put it Another Way: They earn most of the money. / They support the home.
28. Feather one’s nest
Meaning: To make yourself richer.
Samples: He’s feathering his nest with all those extra jobs. / She feathered her nest through smart savings.
To Put it Another Way: They’re adding to their money. / They’re building wealth.
29. Have a fortune
Meaning: To own a lot of wealth.
Samples: He has a fortune in old coins. / She made a fortune selling art.
To Put it Another Way: They have lots of money. / They earned big.
30. Cash in
Meaning: To make money from something.
Samples: She cashed in on her idea. / He cashed in when the product got popular.
To Put it Another Way: They made money. / It paid off well.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Rich
Activity: “The Rich Bake Sale”
At the school bake sale, Emma’s table had cupcakes that sold out in minutes. “She’s raking it in!” said Josh. “She must be rolling in dough now.”
Mia looked over and said, “Emma’s treats are a cash cow!” They all laughed, but it was true Emma was sitting on a goldmine with her famous frosting. “I bet she’s going to cash in big time,” said Tyler.
Later, their teacher smiled and said, “Looks like you all are living the high life today with your sales.” Emma grinned. “Just trying to strike it rich.”
As the bell rang, Emma whispered, “I’ll save the money we’re building a nest egg for the field trip.” Josh added, “Smart! You’re going to be sitting pretty.”
Your Task:
Can you underline or list all 8 idioms for rich used in this story?
Answer Key
- Raking it in
- Rolling in dough
- Cash cow
- Sitting on a goldmine
- Cash in
- Living the high life
- Strike it rich
- Nest egg
- Sitting pretty
Conclusion
Talking about money doesn’t always mean saying “rich.” Idioms like “rolling in dough” and “sitting pretty” help us describe wealth in fun and creative ways. These phrases are useful when writing stories or chatting with friends.
By learning these idioms, you can understand how people talk about money without using plain words. And who knows you might even use them when you strike it rich someday!
