29 Idioms for Rich

We often use idioms to describe wealth, affluence, and abundance. Riches can represent more than just money — they can symbolize success, power, and a prosperous lifestyle. Whether it’s the wealth of a person, a country, or even an idea, these idioms provide colorful and creative ways to express the concept of being rich.

In this article, you’ll discover 29 idioms for rich, each offering a unique way to describe someone or something with wealth, influence, or abundance. These idioms will help you express richness in both literal and figurative terms.

1. Rolling in Dough

Meaning: Having a lot of money or wealth.
In a Sentence:

• After launching his successful startup, he’s now rolling in dough and living the high life.
• They’ve been rolling in dough ever since they inherited the family business.
  Other Ways to Say: Filthy rich, loaded, flush with cash

2. Living in the Lap of Luxury

Meaning: Enjoying a life of great comfort and wealth, often associated with lavish surroundings.
In a Sentence:

• Since retiring, they’ve been living in the lap of luxury, traveling the world and enjoying the finest things.
• She’s used to living in the lap of luxury, staying in five-star hotels and wearing designer clothes.
  Other Ways to Say: Living in comfort, indulgent lifestyle, opulent living

3. Made of Money

Meaning: Having an abundance of wealth, often used to describe someone who seems to spend money freely.
In a Sentence:

• He’s made of money, always buying the most expensive gadgets and living in a lavish mansion.
• People often think she’s made of money because of her constant shopping sprees.
  Other Ways to Say: Wealthy, rolling in cash, rich

4. Born with a Silver Spoon in One’s Mouth

Meaning: Born into a wealthy family or privileged circumstances.
In a Sentence:

• She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, inheriting her family’s vast fortune.
• He never had to work a day in his life; he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
  Other Ways to Say: Privileged, born into wealth, affluent upbringing

5. Cash Cow

Meaning: A consistently profitable or lucrative source of income.
In a Sentence:

• The new product line has turned into a cash cow for the company, bringing in millions in sales.
• His real estate investments became a cash cow, generating passive income year after year.
  Other Ways to Say: Lucrative business, money-making venture, profitable

6. Living Like a King

Meaning: Enjoying a luxurious and affluent lifestyle, often with all the finest comforts and privileges.
In a Sentence:

• After winning the lottery, they’ve been living like kings, traveling the world and staying in luxurious resorts.
• He’s living like a king, with an enormous mansion and private jets at his disposal.
  Other Ways to Say: Living in luxury, living the high life, indulgent living

7. In the Money

Meaning: Having a lot of money, especially unexpectedly or recently.
In a Sentence:

• After selling his startup, he’s really in the money, enjoying the rewards of his hard work.
• She hit the jackpot and is now in the money, buying everything she’s ever wanted.
  Other Ways to Say: Wealthy, financially well-off, flush with cash

8. Sitting on a Fortune

Meaning: Possessing a large amount of wealth, often implying the person is unaware or not making use of it.
In a Sentence:

• With all those stocks and investments, she’s sitting on a fortune, just waiting to cash in.
• They’ve been sitting on a fortune in property, but have yet to sell it for a big profit.
  Other Ways to Say: Wealthy, sitting on a goldmine, holding a fortune

9. Loaded with Cash

Meaning: Having a lot of money or wealth.
In a Sentence:

• After the successful IPO, they are loaded with cash and looking to expand their investments.
• He’s loaded with cash, spending it on luxury cars and expensive gadgets.
  Other Ways to Say: Rich, affluent, financially secure

10. A Millionaire’s Lifestyle

Meaning: A lifestyle that reflects wealth, luxury, and excess, typically reserved for extremely wealthy individuals.
In a Sentence:

• He enjoys a millionaire’s lifestyle, with private yachts and homes in multiple countries.
• The celebrity is living a millionaire’s lifestyle, attending extravagant parties and dining at the best restaurants.
  Other Ways to Say: Luxury living, opulent lifestyle, extravagant life

11. Money to Burn

Meaning: Having more than enough money, often used to describe someone who can afford to spend freely without worry.
In a Sentence:

• After selling his company, he had money to burn, buying properties all over the world.
• She had money to burn, spending lavishly on high-end fashion and luxury vacations.
  Other Ways to Say: Wealthy, rolling in money, financially carefree

12. Like a Fat Cat

Meaning: Someone who is rich and living comfortably, often used to describe a person who has become wealthy through privilege or hard work.
In a Sentence:

• Since his promotion, he’s been living like a fat cat, enjoying all the perks of his high-paying job.
• The CEO was like a fat cat, collecting bonuses while the employees struggled to get by.
  Other Ways to Say: Wealthy, affluent, enjoying luxury

13. Cash in on Something

Meaning: To make a profit from something, often used when someone benefits from a situation or opportunity.
In a Sentence:

• They cashed in on the booming real estate market, buying properties at low prices and selling them for a fortune.
• She cashed in on her popularity, launching a line of products and making millions.
  Other Ways to Say: Profit from, capitalize on, make money from

14. Swimming in Money

Meaning: To have an abundant amount of money, often suggesting that a person is so rich that money seems to surround them.
In a Sentence:

• After selling the company, he was swimming in money, able to retire comfortably at an early age.
• She’s swimming in money, always buying the latest designer items without a second thought.
  Other Ways to Say: Wealthy, financially prosperous, rolling in dough

15. A Silver Lining

Meaning: A positive or profitable aspect of an otherwise negative situation, often implying that wealth or success can emerge from hardship.
In a Sentence:

• Losing his job turned out to be a silver lining, as it pushed him to start his own successful business.
• The downturn in the market was a silver lining for investors who bought up stocks at bargain prices.
  Other Ways to Say: Blessing in disguise, unexpected benefit, silver lining in adversity

16. Living High on the Hog

Meaning: Living in luxury or with great wealth, often used to describe someone enjoying a lavish lifestyle.
In a Sentence:

• After the big promotion, he started living high on the hog, staying in fancy hotels and dining at expensive restaurants.
• The celebrity was living high on the hog, attending exclusive parties and wearing designer clothes.
  Other Ways to Say: Living in luxury, indulgent lifestyle, extravagant living

17. Cash Cow

Meaning: A reliable source of steady income or profit.
In a Sentence:

• The online subscription service turned out to be a cash cow for the company, generating millions each month.
• His real estate investments became a cash cow, providing a consistent and growing stream of income.
  Other Ways to Say: Money-making venture, profitable, lucrative

18. Born with a Silver Spoon in One’s Mouth

Meaning: Born into a wealthy family, having advantages and privileges from birth.
In a Sentence:

• She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, inheriting her family’s wealth and living a life of luxury.
• He never had to work a day in his life; he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
  Other Ways to Say: Privileged, wealthy upbringing, born into money

19. On Easy Street

Meaning: Living a life of comfort and financial security, without having to worry about money.
In a Sentence:

• After the successful sale of their company, they were on easy street, able to retire early and travel the world.
• Once his book became a bestseller, he was on easy street, living in comfort for the rest of his life.
  Other Ways to Say: Comfortable, financially secure, carefree life

20. Living the Dream

Meaning: Enjoying an ideal or luxurious life, often with wealth, happiness, or success.
In a Sentence:

• After winning the lottery, they were living the dream, traveling the world and staying in five-star resorts.
• The young entrepreneur was living the dream, owning a successful business and driving a sports car.
  Other Ways to Say: Living in luxury, living a charmed life, ideal lifestyle

21. A Silver-Plated Life

Meaning: A life filled with wealth and comfort, often suggesting that everything is easy and well-off.
In a Sentence:

• After his inheritance, he began living a silver-plated life, enjoying luxuries he never dreamed of before.
• The celebrity couple is living a silver-plated life, with private jets and multimillion-dollar estates.
  Other Ways to Say: Comfortable, lavish, indulgent

22. A King’s Ransom

Meaning: A very large amount of money, often used to describe a huge sum paid for something.
In a Sentence:

• He sold the painting for a king’s ransom, making millions from one piece of art.
• The house sold for a king’s ransom, far exceeding its market value.
  Other Ways to Say: Fortune, huge sum, substantial amount

23. Feathering One’s Nest

Meaning: Accumulating wealth and possessions, often in a self-serving manner.
In a Sentence:

• After years of hard work, he’s now feathering his nest, buying expensive cars and houses.
• She spent all her time feathering her nest, decorating her home with luxurious items.
  Other Ways to Say: Accumulating wealth, collecting riches, enriching oneself

24. Sitting on a Goldmine

Meaning: Having a valuable source of income or wealth, often an untapped resource.
In a Sentence:

• The company’s new patent was like sitting on a goldmine, set to generate millions in revenue.
• She realized she was sitting on a goldmine when her family’s vintage collection was worth more than expected.
  Other Ways to Say: Financial windfall, profitable investment, valuable asset

25. Born into the Lap of Luxury

Meaning: To be born into wealth and privilege, enjoying the best life has to offer without effort.
In a Sentence:

• He was born into the lap of luxury, with private tutors and international vacations.
• They were born into the lap of luxury, surrounded by wealth and privilege from the moment they were born.
  Other Ways to Say: Privileged upbringing, wealthy background, born into comfort

26. A Fountain of Wealth

Meaning: A continuous and abundant source of wealth or money.
In a Sentence:

• His new business became a fountain of wealth, generating income from multiple streams.
• The mining company turned into a fountain of wealth, yielding valuable resources year after year.
  Other Ways to Say: Endless wealth, constant income, money-making source

27. Rolling in Riches

Meaning: To be extremely wealthy, often used to describe someone who has a great amount of money or resources.
In a Sentence:

• After selling his shares, he’s now rolling in riches, with more money than he knows what to do with.
• They’ve been rolling in riches ever since they launched their tech company.
  Other Ways to Say: Filthy rich, wealthy, rolling in money

28. Living in Clover

Meaning: Living a life of comfort and abundance, often suggesting a carefree and prosperous existence.
In a Sentence:

• Since the merger, they’ve been living in clover, enjoying all the luxuries of life.
• With his successful investments, he’s living in clover, never having to worry about money.
  Other Ways to Say: Living in luxury, comfortable living, prosperous

29. A Million-Dollar Smile

Meaning: A smile that is so charming or attractive that it can metaphorically bring wealth or success, often used to describe someone who is wealthy and confident.
In a Sentence:

• She greeted everyone with a million-dollar smile, making a lasting impression at the gala.
• He had a million-dollar smile, effortlessly making deals and winning over clients.
  Other Ways to Say: Charming, charismatic, dazzling smile

Practice exercise

1. After the company’s IPO, he was ____________, living without any financial worries.
2. She’s been ____________, spending money freely on the most expensive items.
3. He’s ____________, buying properties and assets as though money is no object.
4. After the new product launch, the company became ____________, bringing in a constant flow of income.
5. They’ve been ____________ ever since inheriting the family fortune.
6. The couple’s new lifestyle was ____________, complete with private jets and exclusive events.
7. He’s ____________ now, living a life full of luxury and comfort.
8. With the sale of the property, they are ____________, never needing to work again.
9. The entrepreneur became ____________, receiving steady income from his successful businesses.
10. After winning the lottery, he’s ____________, living a carefree life.
11. The new startup has become a ____________, continuously bringing in profit without much effort.
12. The family was ____________, spending their days traveling and indulging in lavish comforts.
13. He’s ____________, working in a luxurious office and driving the finest cars.
14. They realized they were ____________, with no shortage of money after a successful business deal.
15. She’s ____________, comfortably living in a mansion and owning multiple luxury vehicles.
16. The business was ____________, providing him with consistent income from various sources.
17. With their successful investments, they are ____________, living a comfortable and prosperous life.
18. The old mansion became their ____________, a luxurious property passed down through generations.
19. After the inheritance, he’s ____________, never needing to worry about money again.
20. The new hotel opened with ____________, attracting wealthy clients and high-end bookings.
21. He’s ____________, taking luxurious vacations and living without any concerns.
22. After his promotion, he started ____________, enjoying extravagant dinners and world travels.
23. The profits from the business were like ____________, giving them the ability to purchase whatever they desired.
24. The inheritance gave them a ____________, providing everything they ever dreamed of.
25. She walked into the party with ____________, captivating everyone with her charm.
26. The movie was a ____________, making millions from ticket sales and merchandise.
27. His real estate holdings were ____________, generating a fortune over time.
28. The success of the company was their ____________, offering them unlimited resources.
29. With their fortune, they were ____________, giving back to charity and enjoying the best life had to offer.

Answer Key

1. g) In the Money
2. e) Made of Money
3. w) Like an Ox
4. i) A Cash Cow
5. k) Born with a Silver Spoon in One’s Mouth
6. j) A Silver-Plated Life
7. r) Rolling in Riches
8. p) A Fountain of Wealth
9. f) Living Like a King
10. m) Money to Burn
11. i) A Cash Cow
12. b) Living in the Lap of Luxury
13. l) Swimming in Money
14. h) A Silver Lining
15. s) Living in Clover
16. p) A Fountain of Wealth
17. v) Sitting on a Goldmine
18. t) A Million-Dollar Smile
19. u) Feathering One’s Nest
20. q) A King’s Ransom
21. s) Living in Clover
22. f) Living Like a King
23. v) Sitting on a Goldmine
24. n) A Rock in a Storm
25. t) A Million-Dollar Smile
26. i) A Cash Cow
27. v) Sitting on a Goldmine
28. p) A Fountain of Wealth
29. w) Like an Ox

Conclusion

Wealth and affluence have always been intriguing concepts, and these 29 idioms for rich offer a creative and engaging way to express the different aspects of wealth. Whether describing someone who is “living in the lap of luxury”, or enjoying the benefits of a “cash cow”, these idioms bring richness to our language, adding depth and personality to conversations about money, success, and prosperity. Additionally, just as there are idioms for wealth, the English language is rich with idioms that express strength, offering vivid imagery to convey resilience and power. From phrases that depict unwavering determination to those that highlight physical prowess, these expressions enhance our communication about personal fortitude and achievement. By incorporating such idioms, we can create a more dynamic dialogue around both wealth and strength. Moreover, it’s fascinating to note that idiomatic expressions can serve as cultural touchstones, reflecting societal values and attitudes towards wealth and success. For those eager to expand their linguistic repertoire, there are also ‘27 amazing idioms to explore‘ that delve into the nuances of aspiration, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness. By embracing these phrases, individuals can enrich their conversations and better articulate their experiences and aspirations. Understanding the significance of hard work is equally essential in discussions of achievement and success. To complement our exploration of wealth and strength, there are ‘30 idioms about hard work‘ that capture the essence of dedication and effort in various contexts. These idiomatic expressions shine a light on the value of persistence and determination, further enriching our conversations about reaching our goals and aspirations.

By using these idioms, you can more effectively capture the nuances of wealth in everyday conversation, writing, or storytelling. Whether you’re talking about financial success, luxurious living, or the sheer abundance of resources, these expressions help communicate the grandeur and influence associated with being rich.

From “living like a king” to “sitting on a goldmine”, these idioms can add color and vivid imagery to your descriptions of wealth, ensuring that your communication about money and success is both dynamic and impactful.