in the black

Meaning

This expression describes a business or person that is profitable, earning more money than they spend, or has a positive bank balance. It originates from the accounting practice of writing positive balances and profits in black ink.

Examples

• After two years of losses, the tech company is finally back in the black.

  After two years of losses, the tech company is finally back in the black.

• Our goal for the next quarter is to keep all our regional branches in the black.

  Our goal for the next quarter is to keep all our regional branches in the black.

• Thanks to a successful holiday season, the retail chain ended the year in the black.

  Thanks to a successful holiday season, the retail chain ended the year in the black.

• We need to increase our sales volume if we want to stay in the black.

  We need to increase our sales volume if we want to stay in the black.

• Investors were relieved to see that the startup was operating in the black so quickly.

  Investors were relieved to see that the startup was operating in the black so quickly.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The business is finally under the black.

  ✓ The business is finally in the black.

  Use the preposition 'in', not 'under' or 'on'.

• ✗ We had a very black year with high profits.

  ✓ We were in the black this year with high profits.

  'Black' is not used as an adjective to mean profitable on its own; you must use the full idiom 'in the black'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The new product line was so successful that it put the whole company ___.

  💡 into a profitable state

  Show answer

  in the black

• It is crucial for our small business to stay ___ during the slow winter months.

  💡 making a profit or financially healthy

  Show answer

  in the black