IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishpinch pennies
Meaning: To be very careful with one's money; to be concerned about how one spends every penny.
Example: “We pinched pennies for a year to pay for the trip.”
Equivalents in other languages
French: Ne pas attacher son chien avec des saucisses Literally: Not to tie one's dog up with sausages
Origin: The expression is slightly disparaging. A penny is a coin worth one cent in the U.S. This is the smallest denomination in the American monetary system.
More English idioms
- pull oneself up by one's bootstraps To improve oneself (usually economically) without help from others.
- pull rank To take advantage of one's superior position (one's rank).
- pull something off To accomplish something that had appeared difficult to finish or achieve.
- pull strings To use one's influence.
- pull the rug out from under someone To abruptly ruin someone's plans or expectations.
- pull the wool over someone's eyes To deceive or fool someone.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- ¡Qué cara más dura! You've got incredible nerve and cheek — the audacity is almost impressive.
- Es un/una pesado/a A dreadful bore — their company feels like carrying extra weight.
- Más terco/a que una mula Hopelessly obstinate — no argument, fact, or force of nature will shift their position.
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