breaking the bank
Depleting all funds
Breaking the bank means exhausting all available money or resources, or costing an overwhelming amount: A vacation doesn't have to break the bank.
The phrase originated in gambling—literally depleting a casino's table reserves—but now applies to any expense that strains finances.
Often used in the negative to suggest affordability: It won't break the bank.
- expensiveCosting much money
- wagerStake on uncertainty
- jackpotAccumulated gambling prize
- costlyHigh in price
- price tagDisplayed cost marker
sticker shock · winner · cash · exorbitant · lottery · prohibitive · unaffordable · money pit · overspending · luxury · splurge · coins · ruinous · house edge · debt · financial ruin · auctions · pricey
breaking the bankdirt cheap
Extremely low-priced
pocket change · budget-friendly · affordable · bargain · inexpensive
breaking the bankpenny-pinching
Extreme reluctance to spend
pinching pennies · bargain hunting · coupon clipping · scrimping · economizing
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