eating money

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "eating money" is not a standard expression in written English and may not be widely understood.
It could be used informally to describe spending money excessively or wastefully, but clarity may be lost without context. Example: "With all the unnecessary expenses, it feels like we're just eating money every month."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Even the ordinary councilman is eating money here.

The New York Times

They were planning to do chores en route for eating money and to scrounge whatever lodgings they could for themselves and their pony.

The New Yorker

When the NME travelled to Jamaica to interview Lee Perry in 1979, the reggae producer was living in the burnt out ruins of his Black Ark studios, worshipping bananas, eating money, baptising visitors with a hose and going under the name "Pipecock Jackxon".

The Guardian - Music

"They're just eating money, and my problem is the politicians' children are not in our schools.

BBC

And when you take into account patents, development costs, marketing, etc, there's a belief that Amazon may actually be eating money on each one sold.

TechCrunch

They're probably eating money here to see how much a $25 price cut will jack up unit sales — and more importantly, Kindle book sales — and how much advertiser interest there will be.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"Those who eat money, they cannot speak with their heads high any longer".

The New York Times

Nassau County must no longer be, as one resident said, "a monster that eats money".

The New York Times

"I needed money for drugs, money to eat, money to pay the rent," Mr. Andrew said recently.

The New York Times

Apps are complicated, they eat money and are often driven by brand aspirations rather than user need.

The Guardian

Not easy, but bands eat money.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "eating money", ensure the context clearly indicates wasteful or corrupt spending. Avoid using it literally, as it can be misinterpreted.

Common error

Avoid using "eating money" in formal contexts where a literal interpretation is possible. Instead, opt for more precise terms like "wasteful spending" or "financial mismanagement" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eating money" primarily functions as a figurative expression, serving to describe the wasteful or corrupt use of funds. This is evident in the examples where it's used to critique inefficient non-profits or corrupt officials. Ludwig shows that this phrase is not always interpreted literally.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Vice

21%

Huffington Post

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Globalization and Health

1%

Global Health Action

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "eating money" is an informal expression used to describe wasteful or corrupt spending. While grammatically acceptable, its usage varies, and Ludwig AI indicates it's not always literally understood. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, aiming to criticize the misuse of funds. Alternatives include "wasting money", "squandering money", and "blowing money". When using "eating money", ensure clarity and context to avoid misinterpretation, especially in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wasting money

Focuses on the inefficiency of spending funds.

squandering money

Emphasizes reckless and wasteful spending.

blowing money

Suggests spending money quickly and carelessly.

frittering away money

Highlights the gradual and wasteful dissipation of funds.

burning money

Implies a rapid and destructive loss of funds.

throwing money away

Directly conveys the idea of wasting money on something with no value.

pouring money down the drain

Illustrates the futility of investing in something that yields no return.

mismanaging funds

Highlights poor handling and ineffective use of financial resources.

dissipating wealth

Emphasizes the gradual disappearance of wealth through unwise spending.

spending lavishly

Suggests extravagant and excessive spending habits.

FAQs

What does "eating money" mean?

The phrase "eating money" is an informal expression used to describe spending money wastefully or excessively. It suggests that funds are being used inefficiently or for corrupt purposes.

What can I say instead of "eating money"?

You can use alternatives like "wasting money", "squandering money", or "blowing money" depending on the context.

Is "eating money" grammatically correct?

While "eating money" isn't strictly incorrect, it's an informal phrase. Its acceptability depends on the context and audience. More formal situations may require more precise language.

How to use "eating money" in a sentence?

Use "eating money" to describe situations where funds are being used inefficiently, wastefully, or corruptly. For example: "The project is just eating money without producing any results."