wave money

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wave money" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a context where someone is referring to the act of using a mobile payment app or digital wallet, but it is not widely recognized. Example: "I decided to wave money at the market instead of using cash."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"They'll wave money at me".

The New York Times

"People wave money at you, and you say 'alright, I'll do it, but I don't want to talk about that, or that... ' and they say 'if you don't, you haven't got a story'.

Independent

They would wave money in the air and thought that we would stop for them.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Contrary to what you may think, holding out or waving money doesn't help.

Independent

One clown showed up on a roadside in a rain poncho, another waved money at children near woods.

The Guardian

Betting on their phones, waving money around, driving go-karts and generally being so wonderfully alive... test-tube-grown Jack Black even falls in love with a horse!

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Jim Bob brought his prejudices with him, believing you can only hail a taxi if you're waving money in your hand.

The New York Times - Arts

He denied, however, that the Hurricane fans -- who rattled keys in reference to the car-swapping incident that cost him a two-game suspension last month and waved money to taunt him over the the tuition-aid suspension -- affected him.

The New York Times - Sports

The idea has even been printed in the pages of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, in a description of queuing in Hong Kong: "When McDonald's opened in 1975, customers clumped around the cash registers, shouting orders and waving money over the heads of people in front of them.

The New York Times

The thousands of Algerian fans in the crowd were appalled, with money shouting "It's a fix!" Some waved money through the fences or burned it, an enduring image of España 82; others, in full why-I-oughta mode, took a running jump in a failed attempt to get over the fences and on to the field.

The Guardian - Sport

It's unlikely that investors waving money will clamor to buy the fourth-largest company in the Spanish-language broadcast sector.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When attempting to pay for something, ensure your method is clear and respectful; instead of "waving money", present it directly or use appropriate digital payment methods.

Common error

Avoid literally "waving" money to get attention, as it can be seen as rude. Clearly present your payment or use recognized digital payment methods.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wave money" typically functions as a verb phrase where "wave" is the verb and "money" is the direct object. Ludwig indicates it's not a standard expression. In the examples, it describes the act of gesturing with money to get attention or offer payment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wave money" describes the action of gesturing with money, usually to offer payment or attract attention. Ludwig's analysis suggests that while not strictly incorrect, it's not a standard or recommended expression in formal contexts and indicates it might cause confusion. As Ludwig AI remarks, it could be replaced by more explicit or common phrases such as "offer funds" or "use mobile payment". The gesture itself may be perceived negatively, depending on the situation. It appears most frequently in news and general internet content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer funds

Focuses on the act of providing money, removing the specific action of waving.

display cash

Highlights the visibility of money, suggesting an intention to use it.

present payment

Emphasizes the act of giving money for a transaction, replacing the gesture.

proffer payment

A more formal way of saying "offer payment", without the physical action.

flash the cash

Indicates showing money ostentatiously, implying wealth or willingness to spend.

hold out money

Describes extending money in hand, emphasizing the offering gesture.

use mobile payment

Refers to paying using a mobile device.

tap to pay

Refers to the act of using a credit card.

show willingness to pay

Expresses the intention to spend.

throw money around

Implies spending money extravagantly or carelessly.

FAQs

What does "wave money" mean?

The phrase "wave money" is not a standard English expression. It typically implies an attempt to offer money, often in a conspicuous or perhaps inappropriate manner, or refers to using mobile payment apps.

How can I use "wave money" in a sentence?

While not standard, you could say "He tried to "offer funds" by conspicuously waving the money", or "She decided to "use mobile payment" at the market instead of cash."

Is it better to "wave money" or just present it?

Presenting money directly is generally more respectful. Avoid literally "waving money around", as this can be perceived as rude or ostentatious. Alternatives include simply presenting your payment or using recognized digital payment methods.

What are alternatives to "wave money"?

Alternatives include "offer funds", "display cash", "present payment", or in modern context, "use mobile payment" depending on the context.