Search
in the red
01
in debt due to spending more than one's earnings
IdiomWhat is the origin of the idiom "in the red" and when to use it?
The phrase "in the red" originates from the practice of using red ink to indicate negative amounts or deficits in financial records and accounting ledgers. This idiom is used to describe a financial situation where expenses exceed income, resulting in a negative balance or deficit.
Example
She dropped her letter into the red postbox on the corner.
Despite efforts to cut costs, the small business remained in the red, and the owners were worried about its survival.
At the party, everyone noticed the honey in the red dress because of her vibrant personality.
The restaurant was struggling to attract enough customers, leading to significant losses, and they were operating in the red.
The government's budget was in the red, and they needed to implement measures to reduce the deficit.
Nearby Words
