Idioms

break the bank

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break the bank

To be very expensive. The phrase is often used in the negative to convey the opposite. I don't have enough money to go on a vacation right now; I'm afraid it would break the bank. Here are my favorite discount options that won't break the bank. Can I get an apartment anywhere in this town without breaking the bank?
See also: bank, break
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

break the bank

Fig. to use up all one's money. (Alludes to casino gambling, in the rare event when a gambler wins more money than the house has on hand.) It will hardly break the bank if we go out to dinner just once. Buying a new dress at a discount price won't break the bank.
See also: bank, break
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

break the bank

Ruin one financially, exhaust one's resources, as in I guess the price of a movie won't break the bank. This term originated in gambling, where it means that a player has won more than the banker (the house) can pay. It also may be used ironically, as above. [c. 1600]
See also: bank, break
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

break the bank

1 (in gambling) win more money than is held by the bank. 2 cost more than you can afford. informal
See also: bank, break
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

break the bank

To require more money than is available.
See also: bank, break
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

break the bank, to

To ruin financially, to exhaust (one’s) resources. The term comes from gambling, where it means someone has won more than the banker (house) can pay. It was so used by Thackeray (“He had seen his friend . . . break the bank three nights running,” Pendennis, 1850). Today as a negative it is sometimes used ironically, as in “I guess another ice cream cone won’t break the bank.”
See also: break, to
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
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References in periodicals archive
Schools will benefit, children will not lose out on important classes at a key time and parents will not have to break the bank just to have a family holiday.
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YOU don't have to break the bank to drink great fizz this summer as this wonderful bottle brimming with bubbles shows.
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THE sponsor of the Best Dressed Lady at the Galway Races yesterday insisted women don't have to break the bank to be stylish.
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TESCO have introduced three new towel ranges: the Tesco Value collection, plain white or navy, costs from a mere 75p for a hand towel to pounds 3 for a bath sheet - so these no-frills towels certainly won't break the bank. Designer label junkies should check out the vintage-style faded pastels in the Florence & Fred collection, or the vibrant shades of the Cheroke collection (both have towels starting from pounds 3).
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The new additions didn't even break the bank. Most were bought for up to pounds 100, with only four per cent of amateur buyers splashing out pounds 500 or more.
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With a price tag of E6.99, it won't break the bank.
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And with their fabulous special offers, it doesn't have to break the bank. Purchase any relaxing hot stone massage at pounds 55 and get one for yourself half price, or purchase any of the salon's luxury facials and get an eyebrow shape or lash and brow tint absolutely free.
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MANCHESTER UNITED may be ready to break the bank for Barcelona superstar Rivaldo.
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Chairman Sir Alan Sugar is prepared to break the bank to give Campbell a four-year contract extension worth pounds 60,000 a week, more than Roy Keane is on at Manchester United
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They're a great way to liven up a simple shirt or dress and, thanks to some great finds on the High Street, they won't break the bank.
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AC MILAN have accepted ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO'S transfer request but have warned CHELSEA they must break the bank to land the Ukrainian.
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