In this post, we’re going to learn about idioms! Idioms are phrases that have a special meaning different from the words that make them up. They make language fun and colorful. Let’s explore some interesting ones!
Poor Idioms
Here are 20 poor idioms in English with meaning and example sentence for each.
Poor as a church mouse
Meaning: Extremely poor
Example: He’s as poor as a church mouse.
Not have two pennies to rub together
Meaning: Very poor
Example: They don’t have two pennies to rub together.
Tighten one’s belt
Meaning: Spend less money due to necessity
Example: After losing his job, he had to tighten his belt.
Live hand to mouth
Meaning: Barely have enough to survive
Example: They’ve been living hand to mouth since the layoff.
On the breadline
Meaning: Very poor, in extreme poverty
Example: Many families found themselves on the breadline during the crisis.
Below the poverty line
Meaning: Living with insufficient income
Example: Over 20% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Poor man’s something
Meaning: A cheaper alternative to something else
Example: This gadget is the poor man’s version of the latest smartphone.
Beggar belief
Meaning: Too extraordinary to be believed
Example: His sudden wealth beggars belief.
Beggars can’t be choosers
Meaning: People with no other options must be content with what is offered
Example: We’ll have to take this old car—beggars can’t be choosers.
Nickel and dime
Meaning: Charge small amounts for many things
Example: He feels nickel and dimed by all these fees.
Dirt poor
Meaning: Extremely poor
Example: He grew up dirt poor but made a fortune later.
Skid row
Meaning: A poor area of a city where people live in very bad conditions
Example: He started his business in skid row and built it from the ground up.
The poor man’s version
Meaning: A less expensive substitute
Example: This car is the poor man’s luxury model.
Poverty-stricken
Meaning: Severely poor
Example: The poverty-stricken areas need more governmental aid.
Poorhouse
Meaning: A state of severe poverty
Example: If we’re not careful with our spending, we’ll end up in the poorhouse.
Penny-pinching
Meaning: Extremely frugal, especially because of necessity
Example: They resorted to penny-pinching to survive the tough times.
Down and out
Meaning: Without money, a job, or a place to live
Example: He was down and out after the business failed.
To be on your uppers
Meaning: To be in reduced circumstances, particularly financial
Example: After years of luxury, they were suddenly on their uppers.
Threadbare
Meaning: Poor; worn out
Example: His clothes are threadbare, but he can’t afford new ones right now.
Steal from the poor box
Meaning: To do something unethical, especially to those who are less fortunate
Example: Charging excessive fees is like stealing from the poor box.
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