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What does “penny-pinching” mean?
Meaning, example sentences and a quick practice question.
B2
Being extremely careful, sometimes excessively so, with money
“He's a bit penny-pinching, but it means he always has savings.”
From the B2 lesson Tightening the Belt (money idioms).
C1
Excessively, often pettily, careful with small sums
“He has a reputation for penny-pinching over the smallest expenses.”
From the C1 lesson Money Talks (money and spending).
Quick check
What does “penny-pinching” mean?
Teaching this phrase?“penny-pinching” 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
- every penny countssaid when even small amounts of money matter
- be in the redto owe money; to have spent more than you have
- 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