penny-pinching

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'penny-pinching' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe someone who is very careful when spending money, often to an extreme extent. Example sentence: John was so penny-pinching that he refused to buy lunch for himself, even though he had enough money.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The penny-pinching worked.

The New York Times

Penny-pinching can convey pessimism and impotence.

The New York Times

Penny-pinching may make for good business.

The Guardian

Both are droll penny-pinching wenches, played with maximum minimalism.

The New Yorker

Like my parents, the cabby was penny-pinching.

The New York Times - Magazine

This type of penny-pinching rarely occurs in Washington.

The New York Times

These are fine times for penny-pinching gourmands.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Governments have practised "incremental penny pinching", adding conditions and sanctions, he says.

BBC

The cost of our penny pinching is too high.

Huffington Post

Level one is the classic penny pinching on paper clips.

Huffington Post

Which meant extending the college lifestyle, penny pinching and all.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "penny-pinching" when you want to emphasize extreme frugality or reluctance to spend money, often in a way that seems excessive or even detrimental. It often carries a slightly negative connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "penny-pinching" when you simply mean being frugal or economical. "Penny-pinching" implies a level of extreme frugality that might border on deprivation or being cheap, so make sure your meaning is clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "penny-pinching" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a person, organization, or action characterized by extreme frugality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "penny-pinching" is a commonly used adjective to describe extreme frugality, often with a slightly negative connotation. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct. It frequently appears in News & Media contexts, highlighting situations where cost-saving measures are perceived as excessive. While alternatives like "frugal" or "economical" exist, "penny-pinching" specifically emphasizes a potentially detrimental reluctance to spend. Using the phrase appropriately involves recognizing its subtle negative implications and ensuring it accurately reflects the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frugal

Implies careful and restrained spending.

thrifty

Focuses on wise use of resources rather than extreme frugality.

economical

Emphasizes efficiency in resource management.

economizing

Highlights efforts to save money or resources.

parsimonious

Indicates extreme unwillingness to spend money.

tight-fisted

Another term for being unwilling to spend money.

close-fisted

Similar to stingy, highlighting reluctance to spend.

stingy

Suggests an unwillingness to spend money, even when appropriate.

money-saving

Focuses on the act of saving money, rather than the attitude.

cost-cutting

Emphasizes reducing expenses, often in a business context.

FAQs

How can I use "penny-pinching" in a sentence?

You can use "penny-pinching" to describe someone who is extremely reluctant to spend money. For example: "The company's "penny-pinching" measures led to a decline in employee morale."

What's the difference between being "penny-pinching" and being frugal?

"Penny-pinching" implies a more extreme form of frugality, often to the point of being cheap or detrimental, while frugal suggests a more sensible and balanced approach to saving money.

What can I say instead of "penny-pinching"?

You can use alternatives like "frugal", "economical", or "thrifty" depending on the specific context.

Is "penny-pinching" always negative?

While it often has a slightly negative connotation, implying excessive frugality, "penny-pinching" can sometimes be used in a neutral or even positive way to describe someone who is very good at saving money.