phrases about money

Champagne tastes on a beer budget

Overspending

“Ono-san has champagne tastes but is on a beer budget so he is always borrowing money from his friends.”

On the cheap

To do cheaply

“The architect asked us to redesign the restaurant's interior on the cheap; the owner wants to attract a buyer.”

Living high

Spending money freely

“Suzuki-san enjoyed living high in New York but knew he'd lose his expense account when he returned to the head office in Tokyo.”

To pad

To inflate

“The accountant checks each expense report carefully so never pad your expenses.”

On a shoestring

On a very small budget

“Management agreed to let us do the project if we do it on a shoestring.”