big spender

Someone who spends money freely and in great amounts, especially on nonessential things or events. Can also be used sarcastically to refer to someone who is reluctant to spend money, or who offers to spend only a small amount. There are a certain few big spenders who always come through the casino, so we try to make sure they have the best experience possible. You're only willing to pay for my soda? Wow, you're a real big spender. A: "Did Dad just order toast and a water?" B: "Yep, you know him—big spender!"

big-time spender

Someone who spends money freely and in great amounts, especially on nonessential things or events. There are a certain few big-time spenders who always come through the casino, so we try to make sure they have the best experience possible. I'm living paycheck to paycheck as it is, so I can't be a big-time spender like you and just buy a new car right now. A: "Did Dad just order toast and a water?" B: "Yep, you know him—big-time spender!"

the last of the big spenders

An ironic expression used when one is making a small or frugal purchase. Did you just order toast and a water? Wow, the last of the big spenders!

big-time spender

n. someone who spends a lot of money. A big-time spender doesn’t look at the prices on the menu.

last of the big spenders, the

A tightwad. This term, often used deprecatingly of oneself, originated in the United States during the 1920s, presumably referring at first to the lavish extravagances of the boom preceding the Great Depression. During the Depression it began to be used ironically and self-deprecatingly, as it still is (for example, “I picked it up at a yard sale—I’m the last of the big spenders”). Possibly by design but more probably by coincidence, the term echoes the much older “After great getters come great spenders,” which originated in the sixteenth century, and “Great spenders are bad lenders,” from the seventeenth century, which became proverbial.