live beyond one's means
Meaning: To spend more money than one earns.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “The credit cards let them live beyond their means for years.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: "Means" here is one's income or resources. The phrase is common from the 18th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- Indonesian: Besar pasak daripada tiang — literally: The peg is bigger than the post
More idioms — Daily Life
- use a sledgehammer to crack a nut — To use far more force than a small problem needs.
- come down hard on someone — To punish or criticize someone severely.
- Pédaler dans la semoule — To be confused and getting nowhere.
- Avoir d'autres chats à fouetter — To have more important things to do.
- Avoir le cul entre deux chaises — To be indecisive, caught between two options.
- Les carottes sont cuites — It's too late, nothing can be done.
More English idioms
- still waters run deep — Quiet people often have deep thoughts or strong feelings.
- you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours — If you help me, I will help you.
- thin-skinned — Easily offended or hurt by criticism.
- right-hand man — Someone's most trusted and useful helper.
- a monkey's wedding — A sunshower, when rain falls while the sun shines.
- off one's trolley — Crazy or foolish.
From our tongue twisters
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- She sells seashells by the seashore. — The definitive 's' versus 'sh' alternation — the tongue has to switch place of articulati…