line their pockets

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "line their pockets" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea of someone taking advantage of a situation for their own personal gain. For example, "The company executives were accused of lining their pockets with the profits from the annual sale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That makes it easier for insiders to line their pockets.

The Economist

"All they want is to line their pockets," he said.

The New York Times

People want politicians who don't line their pockets, and tycoons who compete without favours.

The Economist

"You don't want anybody running for public office simply because it's going to line their pockets".

The New York Times

"They just used the crackdown as an excuse to line their pockets.

The Guardian - Books

"They basically try and line their pockets by billing as much as possible — the more people and the more services, the more they line their pockets," Ms. Burke said in an interview.

The New York Times

But spelling out that members of Congress shouldn't use non-public information gained through their jobs to line their pockets?

The New York Times

Hodge said: "It is deeply depressing to find greedy individuals exploiting a perfectly proper government objective, to line their pockets.

The Guardian

When people talk about rapacious club owners seeking to line their pockets they forget the flip side.

The Guardian - Sport

If you give them the chance, they will use their market position to line their pockets.' That's an important world view".

The New Yorker

And, while the sheer scale of graft in Sochi is unusual, the practice of politicians using construction contracts to line their pockets and dole out favors isn't.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "line their pockets", ensure it's clear who is benefiting and what resources or opportunities they are exploiting. Providing specific details strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "line their pockets" as a generic accusation. Instead, provide evidence or context to support the claim of financial impropriety. Simply stating someone is lining their pockets without any backing weakens your argument and can come across as biased.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "line their pockets" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It's primarily used to describe the action of individuals or entities dishonestly accumulating wealth, often through corrupt or unethical means. Ludwig AI confirms its common use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "line their pockets" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe the act of dishonestly or unethically accumulating wealth, often at the expense of others. Ludwig AI analysis, together with the numerous examples from news and media, confirms that this phrase is a frequently used and widely understood way to express disapproval of corruption or unfair financial gain. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, its inherent negative connotation makes it a powerful tool for criticism. When using the phrase, make sure to provide specific details and context to bolster your argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cash in on corruption

This alternative directly links the financial gain to corrupt activities, emphasizing the abuse of power.

abuse their position for profit

This phrase points to the misuse of authority or influence to achieve financial enrichment.

reap illicit gains

This highlights the forbidden or illegitimate nature of the profits acquired.

profit unduly

This phrase focuses on the inappropriate nature of the profit, implying an unfair or unethical advantage.

exploit for personal gain

This emphasizes the act of taking advantage of a situation or people for selfish financial benefit.

enrich themselves unlawfully

This alternative emphasizes the illegal aspect of gaining wealth, suggesting a direct violation of the law.

benefit improperly

This suggests that the financial gain was not earned fairly or ethically.

feather their nests

This idiom describes accumulating wealth for personal comfort and security, often at the expense of others.

take bribes

This is a specific form of illicit gain, referring to the acceptance of money or favors to influence decisions.

make a dishonest buck

This implies earning money through deceitful or unethical means.

FAQs

How can I use "line their pockets" in a sentence?

You can use "line their pockets" to describe someone who is unfairly or illegally profiting from a situation, as in, "Politicians were accused of using public funds to "line their pockets"."

What's a more formal alternative to "line their pockets"?

More formal alternatives include "enrich themselves unlawfully" or "profit unduly", which carry a similar meaning but are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it always negative to say someone is "lining their pockets"?

Yes, the phrase "line their pockets" always carries a negative connotation, implying dishonest or unethical financial gain at the expense of others.

How does "line their pockets" differ from "feather their nests"?

"Line their pockets" suggests immediate and often illicit gain, while "feather their nests" implies a gradual accumulation of wealth for long-term security, though both often involve questionable ethics.