Idioms about poverty and financial struggles

After losing his job, Mark had to take on two part-time jobs just to ____.

• make ends meet
• hit the jackpot

• live in luxury

• throw money around

Ever since the factory shut down, many workers in the town have been ____, struggling to afford even basic necessities.

• rolling in dough

• on the breadline

• living the high life

• spending money like water

Growing up in a poor neighborhood, Lisa knew what it meant to ____, never having extra money for treats.

• live hand to mouth

• be in the lap of luxury

• have money to burn

• make a fortune overnight

After the unexpected medical bills, they were ____, unable to afford their rent.

• in dire straits

• living the dream

• ahead of the game

• financially independent

Despite working two jobs, Carlos feels like he’s just ____, never able to save money for emergencies.

• rolling in cash

• scraping by

• hitting the jackpot

• laughing all the way to the bank

Even though she earns a decent salary, she always feels like she has to ____, taking money from one bill to pay another.

• rob Peter to pay Paul

• break the bank

• strike it rich

• have deep pockets

The new policy was supposed to help the working class, but critics argue that it only made ____.

• the rich get richer and the poor get poorer

• everyone financially equal

• the economy collapse overnight

• people more generous with their wealth

While some people struggle daily to afford food, others are ____, spending millions on luxury vacations.

• born with a silver spoon in their mouth

• living hand to mouth

• making ends meet

• robbing Peter to pay Paul

The landlord raised the rent again, so now I feel like I’m ____, paying way too much for a tiny apartment.

• feasting and fasting

• paying through the nose

• on the breadline

• rolling in cash

My uncle’s business went from ____, starting in a small garage to becoming a global brand.

• rags to riches

• riches to rags

• trickle-down economics

• rolling in dough