cash starved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cash starved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or entity that is lacking sufficient cash or financial resources. Example: "The startup is cash starved and struggling to pay its employees on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Cash starved mayors and officials often find a privately run-company more attractive because costs are initially lower.

Independent

Why not keep it in the family and use some of that cash to help the cash starved MMR to forge forward with its drilling program.

Forbes

The SEC is starved for cash, starved for talent.

Huffington Post

Given their cash starved state, and the demand driven by their African partners, they were forced to be sales driven - without cash flow they couldn't grow.

Huffington Post

Many of the government's 35,000 teachers are expected to stay on strike, along with health workers, until the cash starved Palestinian Authority starts paying their salaries.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The arrangement will help cash-starved Cuba but is causing disputes in Caracas.

The New York Times

Several states are asking voters to support cash-starved higher education systems.

Science Magazine

But for all this brewing activity, such endeavors remain both embryonic and, given the scope of the problem and the austere economic posture of lawmakers, cash-starved.

Huffington Post

"Do I feel cash-starved?

The Guardian

But here the troubles are centered on the cash-starved public schools system.

The New York Times

Mr. Cuomo needs to make certain that the already cash-starved transportation authority doesn't suffer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an organization or entity facing financial difficulties, use "cash starved" to clearly convey the urgency and severity of their situation. This phrase is particularly effective when highlighting the impact of insufficient funding on their operations or goals.

Common error

Avoid using "cash starved" to describe minor or temporary financial setbacks. This phrase implies a severe and prolonged lack of funds, so reserve it for situations where the entity is genuinely struggling to survive due to a lack of cash.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cash starved" functions as a compound adjective describing a noun. Ludwig AI confirms that it indicates a severe lack of financial resources, modifying entities like "mayors", "officials" or "companies" in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science & Research

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cash starved" is a compound adjective used to describe entities suffering from a severe lack of financial resources. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While not an extremely common phrase, it effectively conveys the urgency and severity of a financial crisis. When writing, remember that alternatives like "underfunded" or "financially strained" may be more appropriate depending on the specific situation. Given it's a correct phrase and the suggestions mentioned above, you can confidently use it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cash-strapped

Similar to "cash starved", but perhaps implying a temporary condition.

underfunded

This term emphasizes a lack of sufficient funds allocated to a specific purpose or entity.

financially strained

Highlights the stress and difficulty caused by a lack of money.

short on funds

A more informal way to indicate a lack of available money.

lacking capital

Focuses on the absence of investment funds or resources.

resource-poor

Broader term indicating a scarcity of various resources, including financial ones.

in the red

An idiomatic expression signifying a state of debt or financial loss.

penurious

A more formal and less common way of saying poor or lacking money.

impecunious

A formal synonym for having little or no money.

insolvent

Indicates an inability to pay debts, a more severe financial condition.

FAQs

How can I use "cash starved" in a sentence?

You can use "cash starved" to describe an entity or situation lacking sufficient funds, such as "The "cash starved company" struggled to pay its employees" or "The "cash starved school system" faced budget cuts".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "cash starved"?

Alternatives include "underfunded", "financially strained", or "cash-strapped". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "cash starved" in formal writing?

Yes, "cash starved" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in news reports or business contexts, where a clear and impactful description of financial difficulties is needed. However, consider alternatives like "underfunded" for academic writing.

What's the difference between "cash starved" and "cash-strapped"?

While both terms indicate a lack of money, "cash starved" suggests a more severe and potentially long-term condition, whereas "cash-strapped" might imply a temporary or less critical shortage of funds.