for a quick buck

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a quick buck" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to making money quickly, often in a way that may be considered opportunistic or lacking in long-term value. Example: "He started selling homemade crafts online just for a quick buck."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 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

There are the con artists out for a quick buck.

The New York Times

Most were small-time operators, out for a quick buck.

The New York Times

They do anything for a quick buck, even sell their flesh".

The New Yorker

"She was never looking for a quick buck," said William Fay, her broker at Merrill Lynch.

The New York Times

Illegal foresters slash the trees of the rain forests for a quick buck.

The New York Times

Company bosses often complain that hedge funds are out to ruin them or their business for a quick buck.

The Economist

There were paramilitaries from developing nations, mercenaries from South Africa and desperados looking for a quick buck.

The Guardian - Opinion

It selects better investors — engaged, committed, long-run investors, not just speculators looking for a quick buck.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Manufacturing chips for Altera might simply be work-for-hire, a quick buck for Intel, but I doubt it.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for a quick buck" when you want to convey that someone is primarily motivated by the prospect of easy and fast financial gain, potentially at the expense of other considerations like ethics or long-term value.

Common error

While "for a quick buck" is a common expression, avoid overusing it in your writing. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "for easy money" or "to make a fast profit" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a quick buck" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the purpose or motivation behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a common expression. Examples from Ludwig show it describing why someone might engage in various activities, often implying a lack of long-term commitment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "for a quick buck" is a widely recognized and frequently used phrase that signifies the pursuit of rapid and easy financial gain. As supported by Ludwig AI, it commonly implies that the motivation is short-sighted and potentially at the expense of other values or considerations. This idiom frequently appears in contexts related to news, media, and business, indicating its relevance in discussions about financial incentives and opportunistic behavior. While the phrase is generally acceptable, consider varying your vocabulary with alternatives like "for easy money" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for easy money

This alternative emphasizes the lack of effort required to obtain the money.

to make a fast profit

This highlights the speed at which the money is earned.

for a fast return

This alternative focuses on the speed of the investment's profitability.

to cash in quickly

This emphasizes the act of converting something into money rapidly.

to make a quick killing

This suggests making a large amount of money rapidly, often through a single transaction.

for a short-term gain

This focuses on the limited duration of the financial benefit.

to get rich quick

This emphasizes the desire for rapid wealth accumulation.

to make a quick score

This is a more informal expression for obtaining money easily and quickly.

for a fast payday

This alternative focuses on receiving payment quickly.

to turn a quick profit

This highlights the action of rapidly generating profit from a business activity.

FAQs

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

You can use "for a quick buck" to describe someone's motivation for seeking easy or rapid financial gain. For example, "He started selling merchandise online "for a quick buck"."

What's a more formal alternative to "for a quick buck"?

While "for a quick buck" is generally acceptable, in more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "seeking short-term financial gains" or "motivated by immediate profit".

Is it always negative to say someone is doing something "for a quick buck"?

While often carrying a negative connotation of opportunism or prioritizing short-term gains over ethical considerations, the phrase "for a quick buck" can also simply describe someone's pragmatic approach to making money without necessarily implying wrongdoing.

What can I say instead of "for a quick buck"?

You can use alternatives like "for easy money", "to make a fast profit", or "for a fast return" depending on the context.