idiom · informal

strapped for cash

UK/stræpt fɔː(r) kæʃ/US/stræpt fɔr kæʃ/STRAPPED for CASH

speaking

having little or no money; short of money

Examples

“I’m a bit strapped for cash this month after paying the rent.”

“Students are often strapped for cash at the end of term.”

“We were a little strapped for cash, so we didn't go on holiday.”

Band 8 sentence

“I’d love to travel, but I’m strapped for cash until I get my next paycheck, so I’ll have to wait.”

Collocations

  • be strapped for cash
  • temporarily strapped for cash

Word family

strapped (adj) adjectivebe strapped for cash (phrase) phrase

Common mistakes

I'm short by money→I'm short of money

I am strap for cash→I am strapped for cash

Say it for a higher band

5short on money→6broke→7+strapped for cash

Synonyms

broke

short of money

Easily confused

broke

“After university he was completely broke.”

Related words

make ends meetcost an arm and a legtighten one's beltpenny-wise and pound-foolishliving paycheck to paychecka fool and his money are soon partedliving beyond one's meanssave up for a rainy day

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In Money

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