low on cash

Meaning

This casual expression means that you currently have very little physical money or funds in your bank account. It is usually temporary—often used right before payday—and is a relaxed way to decline expensive plans or explain why you are budgeting.

Examples

• I'd love to go out for dinner tonight, but I'm a bit low on cash until Friday.

  I'd love to go out for dinner tonight, but I'm a bit low on cash until Friday.

• Since he was low on cash, he decided to cook at home instead of ordering takeout.

  Since he was low on cash, he decided to cook at home instead of ordering takeout.

• Are you low on cash? I can cover your ticket and you can pay me back later.

  Are you low on cash? I can cover your ticket and you can pay me back later.

• We had to cancel our weekend trip because we were both running low on cash.

  We had to cancel our weekend trip because we were both running low on cash.

• If you are low on cash, there are plenty of free museums we can visit in the city.

  If you are low on cash, there are plenty of free museums we can visit in the city.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I am low of cash this week.

  ✓ I am low on cash this week.

  The correct preposition to pair with the adjective 'low' in this context is 'on', not 'of'.

• ✗ He is low in cash.

  ✓ He is low on cash.

  Do not use 'in' after 'low' when referring to money or resources; 'on' is the standard idiomatic choice.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I can't buy those shoes right now because I'm a little ___.

  💡 Not having much money at the moment.

  Show answer

  low on cash

• When you are ___, cooking at home is the best way to save money.

  💡 Having a small amount of money left.

  Show answer

  low on cash