strapped for funds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strapped for funds" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone is short on money or experiencing financial difficulties. Example: "After unexpected expenses, I found myself strapped for funds and had to cut back on my spending."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Consequently, many of the nation's trauma centers are strapped for funds to provide emergency care to their patients.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

The school board is strapped for funds and both parents and students are caught right in the middle.

The New York Times

Although the requirement doesn't affect for-profit hospitals, many do have patient assistance programs that can help patients strapped for funds, he said.

The New York Times

"We are looking at Atyani as a terrorist cell contact," the official said, noting that Abu Sayyaf has lately been strapped for funds.

The New York Times

Strapped for funds and short of materiel, Zissou nonetheless decides to embark on a daredevil hunt for the monstrous creature and seeks the help of his estranged wife, Eleanor (Anjelica Huston).

The New Yorker

(Last month, when the World Food Program, finding itself strapped for funds, cut food rations for Darfuri refugees, Bush noted that the United States, unlike other nations, had met its financial commitment).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"Authorities are almost in cahoots with the developers because they are so strapped for funding".

The Guardian

But this is precisely the kind of thing that makes it possible for a university to receive a substantial budgetary appropriation and still find itself chronically strapped for funding.

The New Yorker

"The government is going to be more strapped for funding in the future," he predicted, "and I'm concerned that this will jeopardize other NSF programs that help minorities".

Science Magazine

Like many federal agencies, NASA is strapped for funding under the current fiscal conditions.

Huffington Post

"Many times, the local governments are strapped for funding to implement these strategies... so being able to bring in private funding and being able to bring in people who are looking to support gun violence prevention organizations on a consistent basis is key," he said.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strapped for funds" to clearly and concisely describe a temporary financial condition.

Common error

Avoid using "strapped for funds" in overly formal reports or business proposals. Opt for more neutral phrases like "experiencing financial constraints" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strapped for funds" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its financial condition. As Ludwig AI highlights, it indicates a state of lacking sufficient financial resources. It’s often used to explain why an entity can’t undertake certain actions or meet obligations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strapped for funds" is a commonly used and grammatically sound adjectival phrase, as reported by Ludwig AI, indicating a lack of sufficient financial resources. It functions to convey financial hardship or limitation, often justifying cost-cutting or explaining operational constraints. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to slightly informal contexts. Alternatives include "short of funds" or "experiencing financial constraints" for a more formal tone. Its frequent appearance in news and media sources, alongside its presence in scientific publications, attests to its broad applicability in describing financial situations across diverse sectors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Short of funds

Focuses on the lack of money available, similar to "strapped for funds" but more direct.

Lacking funds

Emphasizes the absence of necessary funds.

Cash-strapped

A single-word adjective emphasizing the lack of cash.

In financial difficulty

Highlights the state of being in a problematic financial situation.

Facing financial constraints

More formal and emphasizes the limitations imposed by financial issues.

With limited financial means

Focuses on the limited availability of financial resources or assets.

Financially restricted

Highlights limitations on financial resources.

Under financial pressure

Highlights the stress and strain caused by financial difficulties.

Operating on a shoestring budget

Implies managing with very little money, focusing on the budget aspect.

Having limited resources

Broader, referring to resources in general, but applicable to financial contexts.

FAQs

What does "strapped for funds" mean?

The phrase "strapped for funds" means lacking sufficient money or financial resources; experiencing financial difficulties.

What's a less informal way to say "strapped for funds"?

You can use more formal alternatives such as "facing financial constraints" or "experiencing financial difficulties".

Is it appropriate to use "strapped for funds" in professional writing?

While widely understood, "strapped for funds" might be too informal for some professional contexts. Consider alternatives like "short of funds" or "lacking funds" for a more neutral tone.

How can I use "strapped for funds" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe individuals, organizations, or even governments: "The school board is strapped for funds" or "The U.N.'s World Food Program is so strapped for funds...".