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Processed with VS1Recognize expressions for putting money into a game, major losses, debt, and falsified accounts—with clear cautions.
VOA source audio
Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThe episode tells a cautionary story about gambling losses and financial misconduct. This lesson treats the expressions as language to recognize in conversation and reporting; it is not advice to gamble or a strategy for making money.
Cultural note: Expressions such as “lose your shirt” and “go in the hole” can describe severe financial loss. “Cook the books” means deliberately falsify financial records and implies wrongdoing; use it only when the evidence supports that serious accusation.
Keep exploringSome money idioms sound playful, but in context they can describe real loss, debt, or crime.
Phrase guide · 4 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Recognize expressions for losing heavily or owing money.
Meaning
Pay a required initial amount to join a card game; more broadly, contribute what is expected.
Tone & use
Originates in gambling contexts. Outside games, it is informal and can sound forceful when asking someone to contribute.
Example
“Before joining the friendly card game, everyone anted up a small amount.”
Meaning
Lose a very large amount of money.
Tone & use
Informal and often dramatic. It may be literal or exaggerated; do not use it to minimize someone’s real financial hardship.
Example
“The shop owner worried that a second round of repairs would make the business lose its shirt.”
Meaning
End up owing money or operating at a loss.
Tone & use
Informal. In business or budgeting, be specific about the amount and period when accuracy matters.
Example
“The community event went in the hole after rain reduced attendance and ticket sales.”
Understand a serious phrase for falsifying records.
Recognition caution
Meaning
Illegally alter financial records to hide or misrepresent money.
Tone & use
Strong accusation of deliberate fraud. Recognition caution: use only when reliable evidence establishes falsification; otherwise say “the records may be inaccurate.”
Example
“Investigators alleged that the executive had cooked the books to conceal expenses.”
Recognition caution: this phrase implies intentional financial fraud; do not use it as a casual synonym for an accounting error.
Knowledge check
Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
Try it · Choose the best expression
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