Some useful English idioms for describing a financial situation
Listen and read the news item. Guess what the idioms mean, then check below.
B.I.G.Co goes into the red
Profits are down this year for the multinational B.I.G. Co, and figures show the company is in the red. B.I.G.’s chief executive says, “A slowdown in the world economy means that a lot of companies are feeling the pinch. Many are cutting their expenses and trying to operate on a shoestring, but we’re big enough to keep going normally, and we’ll be back in the black next year.”
Meanings
in the red – in debt, or earning less than spending
in the black – in credit, or earning more than spending
feel the pinch – begin to feel poor
on a shoestring – with very little money to spend
‘I know we’re on a shoestring, but this is crazy!’
