Idiom
skint
Meanings
Having no money or not enough money to do what you want.
Definition
Skint means having no money or almost no money.
If you are skint, you have very little money and cannot afford much. It is a common informal word in British English. People often use it to explain why they cannot go out, buy something, or pay for a plan.
Examples
- I’m skint this week, so I’ll stay in tonight.
- We’re skint after paying the rent and bills.
- He said he was skint and couldn’t afford the train ticket.
- I’d join you for lunch, but I’m completely skint.
Common mistake
Learners may use skint in formal writing, but it is informal and is better replaced with "broke" or "short of money" depending on context.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.