pocket (redirected from paying out of pocket)

have someone in one's pocket

Fig. to have complete control over someone. Don't worry about the mayor. She'll cooperate. I've got her in my pocket. John will do just what I tell him. I've got him and his brother in my pocket.

See also: have

line one's own pocket(s)

Fig. to make money for oneself in a greedy or dishonest fashion. They are interested in lining their pockets first and serving the people second. You can't blame them for wanting to line their own pockets.

See also: line

Money burns a hole in someone's pocket.

An expression decribing someone who spends money as soon as it is earned. Sally can't seem to save anything. Money burns a hole in her pocket. If money burns a hole in your pocket, you never have any for emergencies.

See also: Burns, hole, money

out-of-pocket expenses

Fig. the actual amount of money spent. (Alludes to the money one person pays while doing something on someone else's behalf. One is usually paid back this money.) My out-of-pocket expenses for the party were nearly $175. My employer usually reimburses all out-of-pocket expenses for a business trip.

See also: expense

pocket of resistance

Fig. a small group of people who resist change or domination. The accounting department seems to be a pocket of resistance when it comes to automating.

See also: resistance

Shrouds have no pockets.

Prov. You cannot take any material goods with you when you die. You should use your money to enjoy yourself while you're alive. Shrouds have no pockets.

See also: have, Shroud

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be in somebody's pocket

if you are in someone's pocket, you do everything that they want you to do The school governors are completely in the head teacher's pocket.

be out of pocket

to have less money than you should have I'll give you the money for my ticket now, so you won't be out of pocket.

See also: out

deep pockets

if an organization or a person has deep pockets, they have a lot of money Anyone who tries to help that company will need deep pockets - it is nearly bankrupt.

See also: deep

dig/dip into your pocket

to use your own money to pay for something Parents of young children have to dig deep into their pockets at Christmas-time.

See pick pocket

See also: dig

have something burning a hole in your pocket  (humorous)

if someone has money burning a hole in their pocket, they want to spend it as soon as possible I had a fifty dollar bill that was burning a hole in my pocket, so I figured I'd go out and have a really good time.

See also: burning, have, hole

line somebody's pockets

if money or a system is lining someone's pockets, that person is receiving too much money or is receiving money that is not intended for them There's to be an investigation following allegations that the money raised is lining the pockets of officials.

See also: line

line your (own) pockets

to make a lot of money in a way that is not fair or honest Sharp resigned after allegations that he had been lining his pockets during his time as company director.

See also: line

live in each other's pockets

if people live in each other's pockets, they spend too much time together I don't think it's healthy the way those two live in each other's pockets.

See also: each, live

pick somebody's pocket

to steal money from someone's pocket or bag You'd think you'd feel something if someone tried to pick your pocket.

See also: pick

put your hand in your pocket

to give money to charity (= organizations that collect money to give to poor people, ill people etc.) People are more inclined to put their hands in their pockets to help children.

See also: hand, put

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in somebody's pocket also in the pocket of somebody/something

under someone's control and influence Industry leaders made the mistake of assuming they had the chairman in their pocket.

line your (own) pockets

to make a lot of money for yourself Allowing patients to sue will increase the cost of health insurance and line lawyers' pockets. He was using his position as an immigration official to line his pockets.

Usage notes: usually said about a person who either makes money illegally or takes more than is fair or right

Related vocabulary: feather your (own) nest

See also: line

pick somebody's pocket

1. to steal from your pockets or bag without you noticing Someone in the subway picked my pocket and got my wallet.

2. to cheat someone Her lawyer told her that he would look out for her interests and then proceeded to pick her pocket.

See also: pick