financially strapped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "financially strapped" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a person or organization that is in a difficult financial situation due to lack of money. For example, "The company has been financially strapped since the economic downturn, so they haven't been able to make any new investments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

They led the financially strapped life of immigrants.

The New York Times - Books

The financially strapped English National Opera was happy to oblige.

The New York Times - Arts

"But they're also a team that's financially strapped".

The New York Times - Sports

In 1973, the financially strapped university sold it to the City of New York.

The New York Times

So America — reluctant, overextended, financially strapped America — was on the spot.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, a number of zoos remained financially strapped and unable to make necessary improvements.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

The move would generate trillions of dollars for the financially-strapped treasury over the next decade.

The Guardian

So Mifune, who was contractually locked in, was unable to undertake other roles for his own financially-strapped production company.

The Economist

If Facebook isn't careful, Promoted Posts could offend and marginalize financially-strapped users.

TechCrunch

Back then it was a little fortune for financially-strapped news organizations.

Huffington Post

This inter-dependency also applied to the financially-strapped Beta PCT1 and its main provider Beta trust2.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "financially strapped", provide context to illustrate the extent and impact of the financial limitations. For instance, instead of simply stating "the company is financially strapped", specify "the company is financially strapped, leading to layoffs and project cancellations".

Common error

Avoid using "financially strapped" repeatedly without providing specific details about the financial situation. Vary your language and provide context to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "financially strapped" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun (e.g., "financially strapped families"). Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It describes the state of being in a difficult financial situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "financially strapped" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a state of financial difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While the phrase is appropriate for neutral contexts, varying your language with synonyms like "in financial difficulty" or "cash-strapped" can enhance clarity. Remember to provide specific details about the financial situation to offer a comprehensive understanding to the reader. The term sees frequent use in describing entities from individuals to large organizations facing monetary limitations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cash-strapped

A more concise and informal synonym.

struggling financially

Highlights the ongoing struggle to manage finances.

in financial difficulty

Rephrases the concept to focus on the state of difficulty rather than the limitation.

experiencing financial hardship

Emphasizes the hardship or suffering caused by the financial situation.

facing financial constraints

Highlights the limitations imposed by the financial situation.

short on funds

A more informal way of saying there isn't enough money.

having money troubles

Focuses on the troubles caused by the lack of money.

in the red

An idiomatic expression indicating a negative balance or debt.

broke

A direct and informal term for having no money.

penniless

Emphasizes the complete lack of funds.

FAQs

What does "financially strapped" mean?

The term "financially strapped" describes a state of having limited financial resources or facing financial difficulties. It suggests a struggle to meet financial obligations.

What can I say instead of "financially strapped"?

You can use alternatives like "in financial difficulty", "experiencing financial hardship", or "struggling financially" depending on the context.

How can I use "financially strapped" in a sentence?

You might say, "The school district is "financially strapped", which is why they're cutting extracurricular activities" or "Many families are "financially strapped" due to rising healthcare costs".

Is it better to say "cash-strapped" or "financially strapped"?

Both "cash-strapped" and "financially strapped" are correct, but "cash-strapped" is slightly more informal. "Financially strapped" may be preferred in more formal writing.