bank

bank something up (against something)

1. to heap or mound up something so that it presses against something. Walter banked the coals up against the side of the furnace. He banked up the coals against the side. Tim banked the coals up.

2. to heap or mound up something to guard against something. They had to build barriers to hide behind. They banked dirt and rubble up against the oncoming attackers. Who banked up this dirt against the flood? The river was rising, so we banked some dirt up.

See also: up

bank on something

Fig. to be so sure of something that one can trust it as one might trust a bank with one's money. I will be there on time. You can bank on it. I need a promise of your help. I hope I can bank on it.

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: break

can take it to the bank

Fig. able to depend on the truthfulness of my statement: it is not counterfeit or bogus; to be able to bank on something. Believe me. What I am telling you is the truth. You can take it to the bank. This information is as good as gold. You can take it to the bank.

See also: can, take

cry all the way to the bank

Fig. to make a lot of money on something that one ought to be ashamed of. Jane: Have you read the new book by that romance novelist? They say it sold a million copies, but it's so badly written that the author ought to be ashamed of herself. Alan: I'm sure she's crying all the way to the bank. That dreadful movie had no artistic merit. I suppose the people who produced it are crying all the way to the bank.

See also: cry, way

laugh all the way to the bank

Fig. to be very happy about money that has been earned by doing something that other people might think is unfair or that they criticized. He may not be in the nicest business, but he is doing well and can laugh all the way to the bank. She makes tons of money doing what no one else will do and laughs all the way to the bank.

See also: laugh, way

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not break the bank

to not be too expensive And at £12.99 a bottle, this is a champagne that won't break the bank.

See also: break

be laughing all the way to the bank  (informal)

if someone is laughing all the way to the bank, they have made a lot of money very easily, often because someone else has been stupid If we don't take this opportunity, you can be sure our competitors will and they'll be laughing all the way to the bank.

See also: laugh, way

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bank on something

to depend on something All I can bank on is that when I tell Dad what happened, he'll know what to do.

break the bank

to cost too much Having a winter vacation in the sun without breaking the bank is a dream come true.

See also: break

laugh all the way to the bank

to be pleased about the profit earned from doing something Team owners complain about the latest TV deal, but in fact they are laughing all the way to the bank. After we sold the house, my wife cried and I laughed all the way to the bank.

See also: laugh, way