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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.
Examples
After a series of unexpected expenses, John found his bank account in the red, and he needed to budget carefully to get back on track.
Despite efforts to cut costs, the small business remained in the red, and the owners were worried about its survival.
