idiom · informal
money doesn't grow on trees
UK/ˈmʌni ˌdʌzənt ˈɡrəʊ ɒn ˈtriːz/US/ˈmʌni ˌdʌzənt ˈɡroʊ ɑn ˈtriːz/mo·ney·doesn't·GROW·on·trees
A warning that money is limited and should not be wasted.
Examples
“I can't buy that designer bag — money doesn't grow on trees.”
“My dad always told me money doesn't grow on trees, so I learn to budget.”
“You should think twice before spending so much — money doesn't grow on trees.”
Band 8 sentence
“I didn't bail him out this time — money doesn't grow on trees, so everyone must learn financial responsibility.”
Collocations
- used to warn someone
- say (that) money doesn't grow on trees
Word family
Common mistakes
Money don't grow on trees→Money doesn't grow on trees
Money doesn't grow on a tree→Money doesn't grow on trees
Say it for a higher band
5it's expensive→6money is limited→7+money doesn't grow on trees
Synonyms
be careful with money
Easily confused
a penny saved is a penny earned
“A penny saved is a penny earned, so I put a little aside each month.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Money
Learn it with its set