make a handsome profit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a handsome profit" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to earn a significant or substantial amount of money from a business transaction or investment. Example: The company's new product launch was a huge success, helping them make a handsome profit in the first quarter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

KKR made its initial investment in the project only a year ago and stands to make a handsome profit from the deal.The EU's European Investment Bank suspended all lending to Glencore, citing "serious concerns" with governance at the world's biggest commodities-trading company, which recently made its stockmarket debut.

The Economist

Not only do these pictures make a handsome profit but they can be a brilliant way to broaden a star's appeal by carefully manipulating the audience.

Independent

Andrew Hagger, personal finance expert at Moneycomms.co.uk, says: "You could make a handsome profit, but also risk losing all your capital".

The Guardian - Money

It used to supply it all and may do so again, meaning that Israel's electricity company could make a handsome profit from the army's destruction.

The Guardian

Certainly, easyJet will make a handsome profit on that super Saturday – but not enough to erase all the losses the airline will sustain during the rest of the winter season.

Independent

So with London's chronic shortage of high-end homes producing astronomical sale prices in recent years, landlords realized that they could make a handsome profit per square foot — and the pace of change quickened.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

A month later, Mr. Cohen returned Spear Leeds's money, along with a handsome profit.

The New York Times

A year later, she made a handsome profit when she sold the pigs.

Unicef

It seems wrong that insurance companies are middlemen making a handsome profit on a vital service that could well be done (and has been) without them.

The New York Times

Regional services are heavily subsidised by the Länder, and while Deutsche Bahn makes a handsome profit on them, this is only after subsidies are taken into account.

The Economist

One deal that appears to have made a handsome profit for Mr. Zardari involved Pakistan's effort to increase its customs revenues.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a global audience be mindful of cultural contexts. While "handsome profit" is generally understood to mean a large profit, awareness of regional variations in business terminology is beneficial to ensure effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "make a handsome profit" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral or precise terms like "achieve significant revenue" or "obtain a substantial return on investment" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a handsome profit" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of achieving a substantial financial gain. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in various contexts, from business deals to personal investments, consistently conveying a positive financial outcome.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make a handsome profit" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that conveys achieving significant financial gain. Ludwig confirms its suitability for various contexts, particularly in news and business. While versatile, it's best to avoid it in highly formal settings. Alternatives like "earn a substantial income" offer similar meanings with slight variations. Remember to use the phrase when emphasizing not just any profit, but a substantial one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earn a substantial income

Focuses on income earned, emphasizing the amount.

generate significant revenue

Emphasizes the creation of revenue.

reap considerable gains

Highlights the gains achieved after effort.

achieve a large return on investment

Focuses on investment outcomes and the magnitude of return.

secure a sizable financial reward

Highlights the financial reward obtained.

gain a significant financial advantage

Emphasizes the advantage gained in financial terms.

accumulate considerable wealth

Focuses on the accumulation of wealth over time.

derive substantial earnings

Emphasizes the earnings derived from an activity.

obtain a lucrative income

Highlights the lucrativeness of the income obtained.

realize significant profits

Emphasizes the realization of profits, focusing on outcome.

FAQs

What does "make a handsome profit" mean?

It means to earn a significant and attractive amount of money from a business transaction or investment.

How can I use "make a handsome profit" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company's innovative strategy allowed them to "make a handsome profit" this quarter".

What are some alternatives to saying "make a handsome profit"?

You can use alternatives such as "earn a substantial income", "generate significant revenue", or "reap considerable gains".

Is it appropriate to use "make a handsome profit" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, in highly formal contexts, consider using more precise and neutral terms like "achieve significant revenue" to maintain a professional tone.