IdiomTopic: money

in the red

/ɪn ðə ˈred/NEUTRAL · B2

Meaning

owing money or losing money

Examples

1Our account went in the red after the annual insurance payment.
2The theatre remained in the red despite selling every seat.
3The shop is in the red: its expenses exceed its sales every month.
4Still in the red after another loss, the firm has no money left to cover its debts.
5Why is the club still in the red when members keep donating money to cover its losses?

Grammar

Use after be, stay, remain or go. Keep the definite article the and the colour word red fixed.

Similar in meaning

in the black

More idioms about money

All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →

a cash cowa reliable source of profit bring home the baconto earn money to support a family foot the billto pay for something go Dutchto share the cost, with each person paying for their own part money talksmoney gives people power and influence strapped for cashshort of money

English Idioms

400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading

Here you get a couple of questions. The app gives you 16 practice modes, native equivalents and spaced repetition that tells you when it’s time to refresh.