a quick buck

USAGE SUMMARY

"a quick buck" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to money that is quickly and easily obtained, typically through less than honest means. For example: "Jack was always looking for a quick buck, so he jumped at any opportunity that promised a quick payout."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He was looking for a quick buck.

The New York Times

WHAT IT'S AIMING FOR: A quick buck.

The New York Times - Books

"Out to turn a quick buck.

The Guardian - Business

"Is he just out to make a quick buck?

The New York Times

A canny way to make a quick buck?

Independent

They made a quick buck and didn't care.

Independent

"There's a quick buck to be made for Christ.

The New York Times

Both love nothing more than a quick buck, won dirty.

The Guardian - Film

The definition of a quick buck might be 15%.

The Guardian - Business

We are all susceptible to a quick buck.

The Guardian - Sport

The promise of a quick buck, that's for sure.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a quick buck" when you want to imply that someone is trying to make money easily, often through unethical or questionable means. Be mindful of the negative connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "a quick buck" in situations where you intend to describe legitimate or hard-earned income. It carries a negative implication of dishonesty or taking advantage of others. Use "easy money" instead if you want to emphasize the easiness without implying a negative behavior.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quick buck" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes something that someone might be seeking or attempting to achieve, as shown in Ludwig's examples. The phrase indicates a sum of money that can be obtained rapidly and with minimal effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a quick buck" is a common English phrase that describes making money easily and often with questionable methods. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous real-world examples. While broadly applicable, the phrase carries a slightly negative connotation, implying opportunism or a lack of ethical consideration. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts and is considered to have a neutral register. When writing, remember to use the phrase when you want to imply easy money-making through less than honest means.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easy money

This alternative is more general, simply implying money that is easily obtained without specifically implying questionable means.

easy profit

Replaces "buck" with "profit", focusing on the financial gain aspect while retaining the ease of acquisition.

fast money

This alternative emphasizes the speed at which the money is made, similar to "quick", but lacks the negative connotation.

fast profit

This phrase is more business-oriented while retaining the sense of speed and ease.

a quick gain

Similar to "a quick buck", this alternative highlights the rapid acquisition of something beneficial, not necessarily just money.

windfall

This alternative suggests an unexpected and often large sum of money, differing from the 'effortless' aspect of the original phrase.

effortless income

This phrase focuses on the lack of effort involved in obtaining the income, differing slightly from the potential underhandedness.

a fast return

This alternative shifts the focus to investment returns that are realized quickly.

making a killing

This alternative means making a lot of money very quickly, typically in a business context.

a get-rich-quick scheme

This phrase refers to a specific plan for making money rapidly, usually with a strong implication of dishonesty or unreliability.

FAQs

How can I use "a quick buck" in a sentence?

You can use "a quick buck" to describe earning money easily, often suggesting a lack of effort or ethical considerations. For example: "He was always looking for "a quick buck", even if it meant bending the rules."

What's a less judgmental way to say "a quick buck"?

If you want to convey the idea of making money easily without the negative connotation, you could use phrases like "easy money" or "easy profit". These alternatives focus on the ease of earning rather than questionable ethics.

Is "a quick buck" formal or informal?

"A quick buck" is generally considered an informal expression. It's appropriate for casual conversations and less formal writing, but it might not be suitable for academic papers or business reports.

What is the difference between "a quick buck" and "a get-rich-quick scheme"?

"A quick buck" refers to any instance of making money easily, while "a get-rich-quick scheme" specifically describes a plan or method that promises rapid wealth accumulation, often with a high risk of failure or fraud.