All phrases › be in the red
What does “be in the red” mean?
Meaning, example sentences and a quick practice question.
B2
To owe money; to have spent more than you have
“We were in the red for most of last year.”
From the B2 lesson Tightening the Belt (money idioms).
C1
To owe more than you have; to be overdrawn or in debt
“The account's been in the red since March.”
From the C1 lesson Money Talks (money and spending).
Quick check
What does “be in the red” mean?
Teaching this phrase?“be in the red” is part of a ready-to-teach lesson, with a reading, three exercises, speaking tasks and an answer key, in Everyday English Chunks B2 Pack 3 (Money, Food, Work and Travel) and Everyday English Chunks C1 Pack 3 (Money, Food, Work and Travel).
See the B2 lesson pack See the C1 lesson pack
See the B2 lesson pack See the C1 lesson pack
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Related phrases
- tighten your beltto spend less money than before, usually because you have to
- be strapped for cashto have very little money available
- cost a fortuneto be very expensive
- break the bankto cost more money than you can really afford
- a rainy day fundmoney saved for emergencies or unexpected expenses
- pay through the nose for (something)to pay much more for something than it's really worth
- money doesn't grow on treessaid to remind someone that money is limited and shouldn't be wasted
- penny-pinchingbeing extremely careful, sometimes excessively so, with money
- every penny countssaid when even small amounts of money matter
- live beyond your meansto regularly spend more money than you earn
- in the blackto have a positive balance; financially solvent
- tighten the purse stringsto start spending more cautiously