the color of (one's) money
(redirected from colour of someone's money)the color of (one's) money
One's ability to pay for something; the amount of one's money. Sure, I trust you—but I still want to see the color of your money so I know you're good for it. The thing that matters the most in this society is the color of your money.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
the colour of someone's money
If you want to see the colour of someone's money, you want proof that they can pay for something, usually because you doubt that they are able to. Note: `Colour' is spelled `color' in American English. Then he ordered another drink and I said to him: `Let's see the colour of your money.' I thought he wouldn't have any. He made a mental note never to enter into conversation with a customer until he'd at least seen the colour of his money.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012