Idiom
watch the pennies
Meanings
To be very careful about small expenses in order to save money.
Definition
To watch the pennies means to be very careful with small expenses to save money.
If you watch the pennies, you pay close attention to small costs and avoid unnecessary spending. It often suggests budgeting carefully, especially when money is tight. The idea is that small savings add up over time.
Examples
- We’re watching the pennies this month, so we’re cooking at home.
- After the rent went up, she started to watch the pennies.
- If you watch the pennies, those little daily purchases won’t drain your budget.
- They’re watching the pennies until they finish paying off the car.
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 a quick update or confirm plans.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (verb phrase)s
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something important that you were responsibl…
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a friendly, informal chat with someone.
- face the music To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of your actions or a difficult situation.