tight on money

Meaning

This expression describes a situation where your budget is very limited or restricted, leaving you with little extra money to spend on non-essential items. It is a soft, casual way of saying you are struggling financially or need to be very careful with your expenses.

Examples

• Things are a bit tight on money right now, so we aren't planning any vacations.

  Things are a bit tight on money right now, so we aren't planning any vacations.

• She wants to buy a car, but she's too tight on money to afford the insurance.

  She wants to buy a car, but she's too tight on money to afford the insurance.

• My parents were always tight on money when I was growing up, but we still had fun.

  My parents were always tight on money when I was growing up, but we still had fun.

• If things are tight on money, we can just grab a cheap coffee and walk in the park.

  If things are tight on money, we can just grab a cheap coffee and walk in the park.

• I'm currently tight on money because I had to pay for some unexpected car repairs.

  I'm currently tight on money because I had to pay for some unexpected car repairs.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I am tight with money this month.

  ✓ I am tight on money this month.

  While 'tight with money' means someone is stingy or greedy (unwilling to spend), 'tight on money' means you simply don't have much money to spend.

• ✗ Money is tight on us right now.

  ✓ Things are tight on money right now.

  Do not say 'tight on us'. The subject should be the person ('we are tight on money') or a general situation ('things are tight on money' or 'money is tight').

Related Expressions

Practice

• Since we are ___ this month, we should stop eating out.

  💡 Having a very limited budget.

  Show answer

  tight on money

• He's been ___ ever since he lost his part-time job.

  💡 Experiencing a strict financial situation.

  Show answer

  tight on money