he has deep pockets

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he has deep pockets" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is wealthy or has a lot of financial resources. Example: "The company was able to secure the best talent in the industry because the owner has deep pockets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Yes, he has deep pockets.

The New Yorker

"I don't think he has deep pockets," Mr. Burrows said.

The New York Times

"Let's say he has deep pockets," with a wallet inside, Mr. Bookard said.

The New York Times

Though he has deep pockets, spending a fortune is not decisive in small states that take their caucuses and primaries seriously, such as all-important Iowa and New Hampshire.

The Economist

Denyer is full of fighting talk because in the 18 months since launching DAZN it has already begun to make waves against rivals such as Sky and he has deep pockets to keep the momentum going.

The Guardian

If Donald Trump is an example, even the naughtiest of little boys can still be president - as long as he has deep pockets, a string of blond wives and a healthy hunk of mean-spirited larceny in his heart.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Not only does he have deep pockets, but he defied all odds and did it once before in the wireless world.

Forbes

Sure, she had deep pockets, but not deep enough, it turned out.

The New Yorker

Unless Fernandes has deep pockets he is prepared to dip into, Rangers will be looking for another owner, and thus, inevitably, another change of manager.

Independent

Unless the inventor has deep pockets, he said, a patent is "really not much more than a nice certificate that you can frame and put on the wall and tell your children about".

The New York Times

Mr. Wilson has deep pockets, though he would not say how much of his own money he would spend.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "he has deep pockets" when you want to imply not just wealth, but also the capacity to spend significant amounts of money on something specific, like a project or legal battle.

Common error

Avoid using "he has deep pockets" when simply stating someone is rich. The phrase implies the ability and willingness to spend considerable sums on a particular endeavor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he has deep pockets" functions as a description, indicating that an individual possesses significant financial resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently employed. This suggests it serves to quickly convey someone's capacity to afford considerable expenses.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he has deep pockets" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating that someone possesses substantial financial resources, particularly for spending on a specific endeavor. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical soundness and common usage. While slightly informal, it is prevalent in news and media. Related phrases include "he is wealthy" or "he is rich", but "he has deep pockets" specifically implies the capacity and willingness to spend large sums. The phrase's primary function is descriptive, conveying information about someone's financial strength and their ability to undertake significant financial commitments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he has a lot of money

A simple and direct alternative.

he is wealthy

Directly states the person's financial status; simplifies the expression.

he is rich

A more straightforward and common way to describe wealth.

he is affluent

Similar to wealthy, but emphasizes a comfortable lifestyle due to financial abundance.

he is well-off

Indicates a comfortable financial situation, perhaps less extreme than wealthy.

he is loaded

Informal term suggesting extreme wealth.

he is financially secure

Focuses on the stability and safety of his financial situation.

he has substantial assets

More formal and emphasizes the ownership of valuable possessions.

he is flush with cash

Suggests having readily available money.

he can afford it

Focuses on the ability to purchase something rather than overall wealth.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "he has deep pockets"?

It means that the person is wealthy and has the financial resources to spend a large amount of money, especially on a particular project or undertaking.

What can I say instead of "he has deep pockets"?

You can use alternatives like "he is wealthy", "he is rich", or "he is affluent" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "he has deep pockets" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "he has deep pockets" is slightly informal. In formal writing, consider using more direct alternatives like ""he is wealthy"" or "he possesses substantial financial resources".

How is "he has deep pockets" different from saying "he is rich"?

"He is rich" is a general statement about someone's wealth. "He has deep pockets" implies that he not only has wealth, but is also willing and able to spend large sums of money on something specific. It suggests the capacity to finance significant endeavors or withstand financial strain.