leaving money

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaving money" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is departing from a place and is either physically leaving money behind or metaphorically referring to financial decisions. Example: "After paying the bill, I realized I was leaving money on the table by not negotiating for a better deal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

People are always leaving money, it seems.

The New York Times

"You're basically leaving money on the table".

The New York Times

A very dreadful thing has arisen: people leaving money.

The New York Times - Travel

"You're not making anything by leaving money in the bank.

The New York Times

"That," he said, "would be leaving money on the table".

The New York Times

But some owners may be leaving money on the table.

The New York Times

So leaving money to languish can lose you money.

The Guardian - Money

"No one gets criticised for leaving money in the bank".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Why leave money on the table?

Harvard Business Review

Why Do We Leave Money on the Table?

Harvard University

J.C. Penney didn't just leave money on the table.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use it to convey missed opportunities or untapped financial potential for a business, individual, or specific scenario.

Common error

Avoid using "leaving money" when the context implies active loss or expenditure, as the phrase suggests a passive foregoing of potential gains rather than active financial detriment. For example, if you spent all your cash, don't describe that as "leaving money" instead, say "spending money".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaving money" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often part of a larger clause. It describes the action of relinquishing potential financial gains or assets, either literally or metaphorically. As evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig, its usage extends across diverse domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

13%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "leaving money" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase that signifies relinquishing potential financial gains. According to Ludwig, it's most frequently found in news and media, with a neutral register that makes it versatile across contexts. To maximize clarity, be specific about what is being left and the implications. A common mistake is to assume "leaving money" means there was an expense or active action that caused money to get lost. Be aware that it typically represents the act of simply, not taking advantage of opportunities or not acting at all. Ultimately, understanding the nuances of "leaving money" enables more effective communication about financial strategy and missed opportunities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forgoing funds

This alternative directly replaces "leaving" with "forgoing" and "money" with "funds", maintaining a similar level of formality.

abandoning assets

This alternative conveys a stronger sense of relinquishment than the original phrase.

passing up savings

This emphasizes the act of not taking advantage of potential savings.

relinquishing capital

This suggests a more formal and deliberate act of giving up financial resources.

sacrificing revenue

This implies that the act of "leaving money" involves giving up potential income.

missing out on profits

This focuses on the lost opportunity for financial gain.

wasting earnings

This highlights the negative consequence of not utilizing available funds effectively.

ignoring returns

This suggests a disregard for the potential financial benefits.

forfeiting income

This implies a loss of income due to inaction or a missed opportunity.

not capitalizing on investments

This focuses on the failure to leverage investments for maximum financial benefit.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone is "leaving money on the table"?

Saying someone is "leaving money on the table" means they are not taking advantage of an opportunity to gain or save money. It implies they are missing out on a potential benefit, such as not negotiating a better salary or not utilizing available discounts.

What are some alternatives to saying "leaving money on the table"?

You can use alternatives like "forgoing funds", "missing out on profits", or "not capitalizing on investments" depending on the context.

How can I avoid "leaving money on the table" in my career?

To avoid "leaving money on the table" in your career, always negotiate your salary, take advantage of employer benefits like 401(k) matching, and seek opportunities for promotions and raises. Research industry standards to understand your worth.

Is "leaving money" only used in financial contexts?

While commonly used in financial contexts, "leaving money" can also be used metaphorically to describe missing out on any valuable opportunity. For example, failing to utilize a skill could be described as "leaving money" on the table.