drain your wallet

USAGE SUMMARY

"drain your wallet" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express the idea of someone spending money rapidly, often frivolously. For example, "He went on a shopping spree and drained his wallet in the process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Car repairs can drain your wallet of cash as quickly as a mechanic drains your engine oil. .

BBC

But making smart (not to mention delicious) decisions about what you pack on your plate doesn't have to drain your wallet.

Forbes

Beautifully plated and exquisitely prepared, be ready to drain your wallet and fill your tummy.

Huffington Post

The only thing these added ingredients do is drain your wallet and fuel your "food issues".

Huffington Post

Some premium items will drain your wallet faster than a dog chasing its tail.

Los Angeles Times

These single-use plastic items can drain your wallet and have a negative impact on our environment.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Do your back a favor without draining your wallet.  .

TechCrunch

There are plenty of cheap, quality -- and Irish -- beers to choose from that deliver on taste without draining your wallet.

Huffington Post

Bottom line: Food waste could be draining your wallet, hurting the environment and in some cases may be completely unnecessary.

HuffPost

Don't let procrastination drain your time and productivity — or your wallet.

TechCrunch

1) Drain, drain, drain your eggs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "drain your wallet" to emphasize the sudden or significant cost of something. It works best when you want to convey a sense of financial strain or depletion.

Common error

Avoid using "drain your wallet" in highly formal or academic papers. Opt for more neutral and precise language such as "deplete financial resources" or "increase expenditure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drain your wallet" functions as an idiomatic expression, specifically a verb phrase, used to describe something that costs a lot of money, often unexpectedly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drain your wallet" is an idiomatic expression used to describe something that costs a lot of money, often unexpectedly. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media. While effective for emphasizing a financial burden, consider your audience: more formal contexts might require alternatives like "deplete funds" or "increase expenditure". Related phrases include "empty your bank account" or break the bank, though these carry slightly different connotations. While "drain your wallet" is a valid and understandable expression, its informality might make it unsuitable for certain professional or academic environments. Remember to adjust your language according to the specific requirements of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empty your bank account

Refers to depleting the funds in a bank account, often more significant than just a wallet.

cost a fortune

Highlights the high price of something.

break the bank

Implies that something is very expensive, possibly unaffordable.

burn a hole in your pocket

Suggests a desire to spend money quickly, often on something frivolous.

bleed you dry

Indicates a continuous and significant loss of money over time.

rob you blind

Emphasizes being overcharged or defrauded.

clean out your savings

Indicates using up all of one's savings.

leave you penniless

Highlights the extreme consequence of losing all money.

wipe out your finances

Signals severe financial ruin or depletion.

sap your funds

Indicates a gradual and subtle reduction of available money.

FAQs

How can I use "drain your wallet" in a sentence?

You can use "drain your wallet" to describe something that costs a lot of money or causes you to spend a lot of money quickly. For example, "Car repairs can "drain your wallet" quickly."

What's a less informal alternative to "drain your wallet"?

Alternatives include "deplete your funds", "increase expenditure" or "strain your finances". These options are suitable for more formal or professional contexts.

What does it mean when something is said to "drain your wallet"?

It means that something costs a lot of money, often unexpectedly, and can quickly deplete your financial resources. It implies a negative impact on your budget or savings.

Is there a difference between "drain your wallet" and "break the bank"?

"Drain your wallet" implies a significant but potentially manageable expense, while "break the bank" suggests that something is prohibitively expensive, possibly unaffordable. The latter is a more extreme expression.