not well off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not well off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who is not financially secure or wealthy. Example: "Despite his hard work, he is still not well off and struggles to make ends meet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

We are not well off now on our current rent.

The Guardian

"The family is not well off, but they're certainly not poor".

The New Yorker

We were not well off but we had businesses," said Haji Ehsanullah, a village elder.

The Guardian

"The basic population of this country is not well off," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

The judge said the girl's family was not well off but that her mother's parents had raised the money.

The Guardian

"You can see they are not well off, because during power outages the building is dark," she said — meaning that they lacked a backup generator.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

The remarks were particularly wounding, because the birthday girl's family is not well-off.

The New York Times - Style

Most of Peter's subjects are not well-off; some are homeless.

The New Yorker

That might be desirable; those who benefit are not society's poorest, but are not well-off, either.

The Economist

She is not well-off, with just two baskets of ginger to show for sale, and two baskets of seed.

The Economist

Certainly it feels like that, looking back at this very small group of not well-off Irish Protestants.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "not well off", provide context about the specific challenges they face, such as difficulty paying for basic needs or lack of access to education.

Common error

Avoid using "not well off" when you mean someone is completely without resources. The phrase implies a relative lack of wealth, not necessarily complete poverty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not well off" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, typically describing a person, family, or group. It indicates their financial status is less than ideal. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage, confirming its role in portraying economic circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not well off" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone's financial situation as less than ideal, without implying extreme poverty. As Ludwig confirms, it's used across diverse contexts, from news reports to casual conversations. Alternatives include "financially struggling" or "having limited means", and careful to provide context when using the phrase to avoid misinterpretations. While widely accepted, it's essential to consider the specific nuances and choose the most appropriate language for your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

badly off

A simple rephrasing of the original phrase.

not affluent

Indicates a lack of wealth, without necessarily implying hardship.

financially struggling

Focuses specifically on the difficulty in managing finances.

having limited means

Emphasizes the restriction in available resources.

on a low income

Specifies the reason for not being well off.

in difficult financial circumstances

Highlights the challenging conditions related to money.

hard up

An informal way of saying someone is short of money.

living hand to mouth

Describes a situation where one's income barely covers expenses.

poor

A general term for lacking sufficient money or resources.

penniless

Suggests a complete lack of money.

FAQs

What does "not well off" mean?

The phrase "not well off" means someone is not wealthy or financially secure. It implies a lack of financial comfort and potential difficulty in meeting expenses.

How can I use "not well off" in a sentence?

You can use "not well off" to describe someone's financial situation, such as: "Despite working long hours, he is still "not well off"."

What are some alternatives to saying "not well off"?

Alternatives include "financially struggling", "having limited means", or "badly off".

Is it better to say "not well off" or "poor"?

The choice depends on the context. "Poor" is a more direct term for lacking wealth. "Not well off" can be a more polite or nuanced way to describe someone who is not wealthy but not necessarily in extreme poverty.