float a loan
1. To receive a loan of money from someone or some institution. I had to float a loan to pay for the medical expenses. Thankfully they were able to float a loan and implement the repairs and upgrades the health inspector had demanded. Most people have to float a loan to pay for college in this country.
2. To give, or arrange for someone to give, a loan of money to someone else. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used after "float." I'd be happy to float you a loan to help get your business off the ground. The house needs a lot of work, so they're looking around at creditors who might be willing to float them a loan. No bank is going to float you a loan if they have reason to think you're not gonna pay it!
loan (something) out (to one)
To allow someone to borrow or make use of something temporarily. Normally not used in reference to money. Some linguists, especially in British English, believe that "loan" should only be used as a noun, while the correct verb is only "lend." I can't come pick you up tonight—I loaned the car out to your brother. I stopped loaning my books out to friends because I never get them back.
loan (something) to (one)
To allow someone to borrow or make use of something temporarily. Some linguists, especially in British English, believe that "loan" should only be used as a noun, while the correct verb is only "lend." Primarily heard in US. I can loan $20 to you, but I'll need it back by this weekend. Would you mind loaning your pencil to me? I forgot to bring one. The bank agreed to loan the money for the refurbishments to our company.
on loan
Given to someone on a temporary basis. We've got a backhoe on loan from Mike's construction company to help dig a ditch through the field at the back of the house. We're delighted to announce that we will have The Mona Lisa on loan from the Louvre.
pay down (some kind of) debt
To pay incremental amounts of money over time to decrease the amount owed for something. How can you pay down student loan debt when you graduate in the middle of a recession and can't even find a job? We had to take out a loan to keep the business afloat, but now a chunk of our profit margin goes toward paying down the debt.
take out a loan
To receive a loan of money from creditors or a financial institution. I had to take out a loan to pay for the medical expenses. Thankfully they were able to take out a loan and implement the repairs and upgrades the health inspector had demanded.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
float a loan
Fig. to get a loan of money; to arrange for a loan of money. I couldn't afford to pay cash for the car, so I floated a loan. They needed money, so they had to float a loan.
loan something to someone
to lend something to someone. (Considered to be an error for lend.) Can you loan a few bucks to Sam and me? I will not loan anything to you.
on loan (from someone or something)
[of possession] temporarily granted by someone or some group. This lovely painting is on loan from the Kimble Museum for the rest of the year.
take out a loan
to get a loan of money, especially from a bank. Mary took out a loan to buy a car. We will have to take out a loan to remodel the kitchen.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.