Greed, the insatiable desire for more, often appears as a theme in literature, conversations, and even in our daily observations of human behavior. Various expressions and idioms capture the essence of greed, illustrating its impact and the attitudes towards it. This blog post explores 20 such expressions that vividly describe greed, providing concise meanings and examples for each. These phrases enrich our language, offering colorful ways to express the concept of excessive desire.
Expressions Related to Greed
1. Money is the root of all evil
Meaning: Suggests that most immoral acts stem from a desire for wealth.
Example: He believes that money is the root of all evil, which explains his modest lifestyle.
2. Greed knows no bounds
Meaning: Greed is limitless and uncontrollable.
Example: They keep acquiring companies; truly, their greed knows no bounds.
3. To have eyes bigger than one’s stomach
Meaning: To take more food than one can eat; by extension, to be greedy.
Example: He piled up his plate but couldn’t finish—clearly, he had eyes bigger than his stomach.
4. Penny wise, pound foolish
Meaning: To be cautious with small amounts of money but wasteful with larger amounts.
Example: By skipping basic maintenance to save money, they were penny wise, pound foolish.
5. Filthy rich
Meaning: Extremely wealthy, often implying the wealth is excessive or undeserved.
Example: After the deal, he became filthy rich.
6. To line one’s pockets
Meaning: To acquire money often dishonestly.
Example: He’s just trying to line his pockets with that unnecessary project.
7. Money burns a hole in one’s pocket
Meaning: Someone spends money quickly.
Example: Every paycheck, money burns a hole in his pocket.
8. More money than sense
Meaning: To spend money foolishly.
Example: Buying another luxury car, she has more money than sense.
9. Hoard wealth
Meaning: To accumulate and keep wealth, often selfishly.
Example: The old miser continues to hoard wealth.
10. To tighten one’s belt
Meaning: To spend less money.
Example: After losing his job, he had to tighten his belt.
11. To cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: Very expensive.
Example: This designer dress costs an arm and a leg.
12. All that glitters is not gold
Meaning: Not everything that looks precious or true turns out to be so.
Example: He learned the hard way that all that glitters is not gold.
13. Worth its weight in gold
Meaning: Extremely valuable.
Example: Good advice is often worth its weight in gold.
14. To make a quick buck
Meaning: To earn money quickly and, often, dishonestly.
Example: He’s always looking for schemes to make a quick buck.
15. Cash cow
Meaning: A dependable source of substantial income.
Example: That property has become a real cash cow for them.
16. A fool and his money are soon parted
Meaning: Foolish people do not know how to keep hold of their money.
Example: He gambled away his inheritance, proving a fool and his money are soon parted.
17. To throw money down the drain
Meaning: To waste money.
Example: Investing in that failing company is like throwing money down the drain.
18. Born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth
Meaning: Born into a wealthy family.
Example: He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, never knowing hardship.
19. To live beyond one’s means
Meaning: To spend more money than one can afford.
Example: They’re always traveling despite debts, clearly living beyond their means.
20. Money talks
Meaning: Suggests that money gives one power and influence.
Example: In politics, money talks more than principles.
