finance

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Idioms (40)

the bottom line Neutral · CEFR B2
the most important fact or the final result of something
cost an arm and a leg Informal · CEFR B1
To be extremely expensive.
tighten your belt Neutral · CEFR B1
To spend less money because you have less than before.
in the red Neutral · CEFR B2
Owing money or operating at a financial loss.
a rip-off Informal · CEFR B1
Something that is far too expensive for what it is.
break the bank Informal · CEFR B2
To cost so much that it uses up all your money.
money doesn't grow on trees Informal · CEFR B1
Used to remind someone that money is limited and hard to earn.
tighten the purse strings Neutral · CEFR C1
To become more careful and strict about spending money.
burn rate Neutral · CEFR B2
the speed at which a company spends its cash reserves, usually measured per month
runway Neutral · CEFR B2
the amount of time a company can keep operating before its money runs out
seed money Neutral · CEFR B1
the initial capital used to start a business
term sheet Neutral · CEFR C1
a non-binding summary of the key terms of a proposed investment
due diligence Neutral · CEFR C1
the careful investigation of a company's business, finances, and legal position before investing
down round Neutral · CEFR C1
a funding round in which a company raises money at a lower valuation than the previous round
bridge round Neutral · CEFR C1
short-term financing that keeps a company afloat until a larger funding round closes
dry powder Informal · CEFR C1
cash reserves kept ready to invest when opportunities appear
war chest Neutral · CEFR B2
money kept in reserve for a future fight, expansion, or acquisition
ballpark figure Informal · CEFR B1
a rough estimate, not an exact number
break even Neutral · CEFR B2
to reach the point where revenue equals costs — no profit, no loss
bootstrapping Neutral · CEFR C1
building a company without outside investment, funding it from personal resources and revenue
deep pockets Informal · CEFR B2
having a great deal of money to spend
in a tight spot Informal · CEFR B1
in a difficult or dangerous situation
pull the plug Informal · CEFR B1
to stop funding or supporting something, ending it abruptly
cut your losses Neutral · CEFR B1
to stop investing in a failing venture in order to avoid further loss
valuation gap Neutral · CEFR C1
the difference between the price a seller believes something is worth and what a buyer will pay
swimming naked Informal · CEFR C1
being exposed as unprepared or over-leveraged once market conditions turn
default alive Neutral · CEFR C1
describing a startup whose normal growth will make it profitable without needing more funding
rob Peter to pay Paul Informal · CEFR C1
to pay one debt by creating another
go belly up Informal · CEFR C1
to fail completely, especially of a business
down and out Neutral · CEFR B2
in severe hardship, especially without money, resources, or prospects
go to the wall Neutral · CEFR C1
collapse or fail completely, particularly as a business or financial venture
feel the pinch Neutral · CEFR B2
experience financial pressure because money has become scarce
cost the earth Informal · CEFR B2
to be extraordinarily expensive
keep up appearances Neutral · CEFR B2
To preserve an outward impression that everything is normal or successful despite underlying trouble.
on a shoestring Neutral · CEFR B2
With very little money or an extremely limited budget.
no strings attached Neutral · CEFR B2
given freely, with nothing expected in return and no concealed restrictions
laugh all the way to the bank Neutral · CEFR B2
to enjoy a large, easy profit, especially from something others consider unfair or undeserving
keep the wolf from the door Neutral · CEFR B2
to earn or manage just enough to avoid poverty, hunger, or serious hardship
hold the purse strings Neutral · CEFR B2
to control a budget and decide how money may be spent
sitting pretty Neutral · CEFR B2
being in a comfortable and advantageous position, often financially