poor as a church mouse

(as) poor as a church mouse

Very poor; having little or no money. My father was as poor as a church mouse growing up, so his sole focus was to give his kids every opportunity in life that he missed out on. We've become poor as church mice ever since the bank raised the interest rates on our mortgage. He's poor as a church mouse now because he squandered his inheritance on lavish, unnecessary purchases.

See also: church, mouse, poor

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

*poor as a church mouse

 and *poor as church mice

very poor. (*Also: as ~.) My aunt is as poor as a church mouse. The Browns are poor as church mice.

See also: church, mouse, poor

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

poor as a church mouse

OLD-FASHIONED

If someone is as poor as a church mouse, they have very little money. I was as poor as a church mouse, but I bought that wreck of a car. I suspect we'll continue to be poor as church mice. Note: Mice living in a church are unlikely to find much to eat as there is no kitchen or food cupboard.

See also: church, mouse, poor

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

poor as a church mouse (or as church mice)

extremely poor.

Church mice may be considered to be particularly poor or deprived in that they do not have the opportunity to find pickings from a kitchen or larder.

See also: church, mouse, poor

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

(as) poor as a church ˈmouse

very poor: She was as poor as a church mouse, living on a tiny pension. OPPOSITE: (as) rich as Croesus

See also: church, mouse, poor

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017