essere al verde
/ˈɛssere al ˈver.de/idiom★Intermediate◆idiom
informal
to be broke or penniless
Dopo aver speso tutti i soldi per le vacanze, ora sono al verde.
After spending all the money on vacation, now I'm broke.
💡
This idiom is used to describe someone who has no money left.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
essere in difficoltà economichephrase
to be in financial difficulties
💡Pro Tip
Usage tip
Use this idiom to describe a temporary financial situation, not a permanent state of poverty.
📖Word Origin
The idiom 'essere al verde' literally translates to 'to be at green', but its origin is unclear. It may have originated from the idea that green is a color associated with nature and growth, implying a return to a state of simplicity or poverty.
📝Usage Notes
This idiom is commonly used in informal conversations.
Dizionario Italiano-Inglese