Idioms for Greed: Understanding Avarice in English

Greed, an insatiable desire for more than one needs or deserves, is a common human trait often depicted in literature, movies, and everyday conversations. English offers a rich collection of idioms to describe this vice, adding color and nuance to our expressions.

Understanding these idioms not only enhances your vocabulary but also allows you to grasp the cultural connotations associated with greed. This article delves into the world of idioms related to greed, providing definitions, examples, and practice exercises to help you master their usage.

This comprehensive guide will benefit English language learners, writers, and anyone seeking to enrich their understanding of idiomatic expressions.

This article is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of idioms related to greed. Whether you are an English language learner, a writer looking to add depth to your prose, or simply someone interested in the nuances of language, this guide will offer valuable insights and practical examples.

By exploring the various idioms, their meanings, and their usage, you will be better equipped to recognize and use them effectively in your own communication.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition of Greed and Idioms
3. Structural Breakdown of Idioms
4. Types of Greed Idioms
5. Examples of Idioms for Greed
   • Money-Related Idioms
   • Possessions-Related Idioms
   • Power-Related Idioms
   • Eating-Related Idioms
   • General Greed Idioms
6. Usage Rules for Greed Idioms
7. Common Mistakes with Greed Idioms
8. Practice Exercises
9. Advanced Topics in Greed Idioms
10. FAQ
11. Conclusion

Definition of Greed and Idioms

Greed is defined as an intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food. It goes beyond simply wanting something; it implies an excessive and insatiable craving, often at the expense of others. Greed can manifest in various forms, from hoarding money to seeking dominance over others.

An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the ordinary meanings of the words it contains. Idioms are figurative language; they add color, depth, and cultural context to communication. They are often specific to a particular language or region and can be challenging for non-native speakers to understand. Idioms related to greed provide a vivid and concise way to describe avarice and its consequences.

Structural Breakdown of Idioms

Idioms, by their nature, defy simple grammatical analysis. They function as single units of meaning, and their individual words often lose their literal significance.

However, understanding the structural patterns can aid in comprehension and usage.

Most idioms follow common sentence structures, such as:

• Subject-Verb-Object (SVO): “He has a voracious appetite.” (appetite for something)
• Prepositional Phrases: “Bitten by the greed bug.” (preposition indicating state)
• Compound Nouns: “Money grabber.” (noun describing a greedy person)
• Similes: “Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing” (comparison of being greedy)

The key to understanding idioms lies in recognizing that their meaning is not literal. Instead, it is figurative and often rooted in cultural or historical context. Learning idioms requires memorization and exposure to various examples.

Types of Greed Idioms

Idioms for greed can be categorized based on the specific aspect of greed they emphasize. Here are some common categories:

Money-Related Idioms

These idioms focus on the insatiable desire for wealth and material possessions. They often describe the act of accumulating money or the behavior of someone who is obsessed with wealth.

Possessions-Related Idioms

These idioms extend beyond just money and encompass a broader range of material possessions. They highlight the desire to acquire and hoard things, often without regard for need or fairness.

Power-Related Idioms

These idioms describe the craving for control, authority, and influence over others. They often involve manipulative or exploitative behavior aimed at gaining power.

Eating-Related Idioms

These idioms use food metaphors to describe greed, often comparing the desire for more to an insatiable appetite. They can also imply consuming resources without regard for others.

General Greed Idioms

These idioms encompass broader expressions of greed that may not fit neatly into the above categories. They often describe the overall attitude or behavior of a greedy person.

Examples of Idioms for Greed

Here are some examples of idioms related to greed, categorized by type:

Money-Related Idioms

The following table provides examples of idioms related to money and greed. Each idiom is explained along with example sentences to illustrate its usage.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
Money grabber	Someone who aggressively seeks money.	He’s such a money grabber; he’ll do anything for a quick buck.
Filthy rich	Extremely wealthy.	After inheriting the family fortune, she became filthy rich overnight.
Rolling in it	Having a lot of money.	Since his company went public, he’s been rolling in it.
Have sticky fingers	To be prone to stealing.	The cashier was fired because he had sticky fingers.
Line one’s pockets	To make money dishonestly.	The corrupt official was accused of lining his pockets with public funds.
Pinch pennies	To be extremely frugal or stingy.	Even though he’s wealthy, he still pinches pennies at the grocery store.
Avarice is the root of all evil	Greed is the cause of many problems.	The businessman’s unethical practices proved that avarice is the root of all evil.
Golden parachute	A large payment to a company executive if they are fired or leave.	The CEO negotiated a generous golden parachute before his departure.
Keep up with the Joneses	To try to match the material possessions of one’s neighbors.	They bought a new car just to keep up with the Joneses.
Rake it in	To earn a lot of money quickly.	The company is raking it in this quarter due to high demand.
Cash cow	A product or business that generates a lot of money.	Their new software has become a real cash cow for the company.
A fool and his money are soon parted	Someone who is not careful with their money will lose it quickly.	He spent all his winnings in a week, proving that a fool and his money are soon parted.
Penny-pinching	Being excessively frugal.	His penny-pinching habits annoyed his friends.
On the take	Accepting bribes or kickbacks.	The politician was accused of being on the take.
Have an eye for the main chance	To be always looking for opportunities to make money, often unscrupulously.	He has an eye for the main chance and is always looking for ways to profit.
Grab the brass ring	To seize an opportunity for wealth or success, often aggressively.	He was determined to grab the brass ring in the business world.
Made of money	Extremely wealthy.	They live such a lavish lifestyle; it’s like they are made of money.
Strike it rich	To suddenly become wealthy.	He hoped to strike it rich by investing in the stock market.
Greed is good	A controversial statement suggesting that the pursuit of wealth benefits society.	Some economists argue that, to a certain extent, greed is good for economic growth.
Gravy train	An easy way to make money, often without much effort or skill.	Once he got the government contract, he was on the gravy train.
At any price	Willing to do anything, regardless of the moral cost, to achieve wealth.	He wanted the deal at any price, even if it meant bending the rules.
Follow the money	To investigate financial transactions to uncover wrongdoing.	The detective decided to follow the money to find the source of the corruption.
The Midas touch	The ability to turn anything into gold (or make money easily).	Everything he invests in seems to succeed; he really has the Midas touch.
Worth its weight in gold	Extremely valuable.	Her advice was worth its weight in gold when we were starting the company.
Laugh all the way to the bank	To earn a lot of money easily or effortlessly.	After selling his company, he could laugh all the way to the bank.
A fast buck	Money earned quickly and easily, often through questionable means.	He was always looking for a fast buck, regardless of the consequences.

Possessions-Related Idioms

The following table provides idioms that describe greed related to personal possessions. These idioms highlight the desire to acquire and hoard things, often without considering the needs of others.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
More is never enough	The feeling that one can never have enough.	For him, more is never enough; he always wants the latest gadgets.
Have eyes bigger than one’s stomach	To take more food than one can eat, or to want more than one needs.	He always has eyes bigger than his stomach at the buffet.
Want everything but the kitchen sink	To want everything imaginable.	When she goes shopping, she wants everything but the kitchen sink.
Grabby	Excessively eager to take or acquire things.	The grabby child snatched all the toys from the other children.
Hoard things	To accumulate and hide things, often unnecessarily.	He tends to hoard things, filling his house with clutter.
Keep a tight fist on	To control something very carefully and unwilling to share.	The company keeps a tight fist on its resources, investing very little in employee development.
Clutching at straws	To grasp at anything, no matter how insignificant, in a desperate attempt to hold on to something.	When his business started failing, he was clutching at straws, trying any idea to save it.
Never satisfied	Always wanting more, never content with what one has.	She is never satisfied, always complaining about something.
Covetous	Having or showing a great desire to possess something belonging to someone else.	He cast a covetous glance at his neighbor’s new car.
Acquisitive	Excessively interested in acquiring money or material things.	His acquisitive nature drove him to constantly seek more wealth.
Possessive	Demanding someone’s total attention and love; unwilling to share.	He was extremely possessive of his antique collection, never letting anyone touch it.
Keep something to oneself	To not share something with others.	She decided to keep the discovery to herself, hoping to profit from it later.
Have a grasping nature	To be inclined to seize opportunities or possessions aggressively.	His grasping nature made him unpopular among his colleagues.
Cling to something	To hold onto something tightly, often out of fear of losing it.	He clung to his old traditions, unwilling to embrace change.
Pile up possessions	To accumulate a large quantity of items.	She continued to pile up possessions, even though her house was already full.
Can’t take it with you	A reminder that material possessions are meaningless in the afterlife.	He worked tirelessly to amass wealth, but as they say, you can’t take it with you.
A pack rat	Someone who compulsively hoards things.	My grandfather was a pack rat; his attic was filled with junk.
Have a magpie eye	To be attracted to shiny or valuable things.	She has a magpie eye and is always drawn to anything that glitters.
Lust after	To have a strong desire for something, often of a material nature.	He lusted after the sports car he saw in the showroom.
Keep one’s hands on	To maintain control or possession of something.	He wanted to keep his hands on the company, even after retirement.
Hanker after	To have a strong desire for something.	She hankered after a luxurious vacation.
Be unwilling to part with	To not want to give something away.	He was unwilling to part with his vintage record collection.
Hold something dear	To value something greatly.	She held her grandmother’s necklace dear.
Stingy	Unwilling to give or spend; ungenerous.	He was so stingy that he wouldn’t even buy his own children ice cream.
Miserly	Excessively unwilling to spend money; parsimonious.	The old man was known for his miserly habits, hoarding his wealth and living in poverty.

Power-Related Idioms

The following table provides examples of idioms related to greed for power. These idioms often involve manipulative or exploitative behavior aimed at gaining control.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
Power-hungry	Having a strong desire for power.	The politician was seen as power-hungry, willing to do anything to win.
Climb the ladder	To advance in a hierarchy, often ruthlessly.	He was determined to climb the ladder, even if it meant stepping on others.
Pull strings	To use one’s influence to get something done.	He had to pull strings to get his son into the prestigious school.
Call the shots	To make the important decisions.	As the CEO, she calls the shots in the company.
Have someone in one’s pocket	To have control over someone.	The corrupt businessman had the mayor in his pocket.
Rule the roost	To be in charge.	In their family, the mother rules the roost.
Grab power	To seize control forcefully.	The military junta grabbed power in a coup.
On a power trip	Abusing one’s authority.	The supervisor was on a power trip, making unreasonable demands.
Have a stranglehold on	To have complete control over something.	The company has a stranglehold on the market.
Strive for dominance	To work hard to achieve control or superiority.	The two nations strove for dominance in the region.
Bend to one’s will	To force someone to do what one wants.	He tried to bend everyone to his will.
Call the tune	To be in a position to make the important decisions.	Since he’s the owner, he calls the tune.
Wear the pants	To be the dominant person in a relationship or group.	Everyone knows that she wears the pants in that family.
Assert one’s authority	To demonstrate one’s power or control.	The principal had to assert his authority to restore order.
Pull the strings	To secretly control events or people.	It’s rumored that a powerful lobbyist is pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Be at someone’s beck and call	To be always ready to obey someone’s orders.	He expected everyone to be at his beck and call.
Run roughshod over	To treat someone or something with contempt and disregard.	The dictator ran roughshod over the rights of his citizens.
Have the upper hand	To have an advantage over someone else.	She had the upper hand in the negotiation.
Keep someone under one’s thumb	To control someone completely.	He tried to keep his employees under his thumb.
Play power games	To engage in manipulative tactics to gain influence.	She was tired of his constant power games.
Lording it over	To behave in a superior and arrogant manner.	He enjoyed lording it over his subordinates.
Have a controlling nature	To have a strong desire to control others.	Her controlling nature strained her relationships.
Want to have the last word	To always want to be the one who makes the final decision or has the final say.	He always wants to have the last word in every discussion.
Be in the driver’s seat	To be in control of a situation.	She was finally in the driver’s seat after years of working for others.
Call the shots	To make the important decisions in a situation or organization.	As the team leader, he calls the shots on this project.

Eating-Related Idioms

The following table provides idioms that use food metaphors to describe greed. These idioms often imply an insatiable appetite or consuming resources without regard for others.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
Have a sweet tooth	To have a great liking for sweet foods.	He has a sweet tooth and can’t resist desserts.
Eat someone out of house and home	To consume so much food that it causes financial hardship.	With five growing boys, they were being eaten out of house and home.
Wolf down	To eat something very quickly.	He wolfed down his lunch in five minutes.
Devour	To eat something quickly and hungrily.	The children devoured the cookies.
Have a voracious appetite	To have a very large appetite.	He has a voracious appetite and can eat a whole pizza by himself.
Gobble up	To eat something quickly and greedily.	The birds gobbled up all the seeds.
Bite off more than one can chew	To take on more than one can handle.	He bit off more than he could chew when he agreed to manage three projects at once.
Live high on the hog	To live extravagantly.	After winning the lottery, they started to live high on the hog.
Eat like a horse	To eat a lot of food.	He eats like a horse but never gains weight.
Feast on	To eat a large and delicious meal.	They feasted on the Thanksgiving dinner.
Ingurgitate	To swallow greedily or rapidly.	He ingurgitated the entire plate of food in minutes.
Pig out	To eat a large amount of food, often in a greedy way.	We decided to pig out on pizza and ice cream.
Have a bottomless pit	To have an insatiable appetite.	That boy is like a bottomless pit when it comes to food.
Overindulge	To have too much of something pleasant, especially food or drink.	During the holidays, it’s easy to overindulge in sweets.
Gorge oneself	To eat a large amount of food to excess.	They gorged themselves on the buffet.
Be gluttonous	To be excessively greedy for food.	His gluttonous behavior at the dinner table was appalling.
Have an insatiable hunger	To have a never-ending desire for something, often food or wealth.	He has an insatiable hunger for success.
Consume voraciously	To eat or use something eagerly and in large quantities.	She consumed voraciously every book she could find on the subject.
Go on a feeding frenzy	To engage in a period of intense consumption, often of food or resources.	The investors went on a feeding frenzy, buying up all the available shares.

General Greed Idioms

The following table provides idioms that describe greed in a more general sense. These idioms capture the overall attitude or behavior of a greedy person.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
Bitten by the greed bug	To become infected with greed.	He was bitten by the greed bug after his first big deal.
Blinded by greed	Unable to see the consequences of one’s actions due to greed.	He was blinded by greed and made a terrible decision.
Consumed by greed	Completely controlled by greed.	His life was consumed by greed and he lost everything.
Driven by greed	Motivated by greed.	The company’s unethical practices were driven by greed.
Sacrifice everything at the altar of greed	To prioritize greed above all else.	He was willing to sacrifice everything at the altar of greed.
Avaricious	Having or showing an extreme greed for wealth or material gain.	The avaricious businessman exploited his workers.
Cupidity	Greed for money or possessions.	His cupidity led him to betray his friends.
Insatiable	Impossible to satisfy.	His desire for power was insatiable.
Rapacious	Aggressively greedy or grasping.	The rapacious corporation exploited the local resources.
Voracious	Having a very eager approach to an activity or interest.	He had a voracious appetite for knowledge.
Grasping	Showing greed or a strong desire for wealth or power.	His grasping nature made him unpopular.
Mercenary	Primarily concerned with making money at the expense of ethics.	His mercenary attitude was off-putting.
Self-seeking	Seeking only one’s own advantage.	His self-seeking behavior alienated his colleagues.
On the make	Actively seeking to gain money or status.	He was always on the make, looking for new opportunities.
Opportunistic	Taking advantage of opportunities without regard for ethics.	His opportunistic actions were widely criticized.
Unscrupulous	Having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair.	The unscrupulous businessman cheated his partners.
Extortionate	Exorbitant; unreasonably high.	The shop was charging extortionate prices for bottled water during the heatwave.
Predatory	Seeking to exploit or oppress others.	The predatory lender took advantage of vulnerable families.
Have a one-track mind	To think about one particular thing and nothing else.	He has a one-track mind when it comes to making money.
At the expense of others	Achieving one’s goals by harming or disadvantaging others.	He amassed wealth at the expense of others.

Usage Rules for Greed Idioms

Using idioms correctly requires understanding their specific meanings and contexts. Here are some general rules to follow:

• Context is Key: Pay attention to the context in which the idiom is used. The surrounding words and phrases can provide clues to its meaning.
• Figurative vs. Literal: Remember that idioms are figurative, not literal. Do not interpret the individual words in their dictionary definitions.
• Grammatical Structure: Use the idiom in a grammatically correct sentence. The idiom itself may have a fixed structure, but it should fit seamlessly into the overall sentence.
• Audience Awareness: Consider your audience when using idioms. Some idioms may be unfamiliar to non-native speakers or people from different regions.
• Formality: Be aware of the level of formality. Some idioms are more appropriate for informal conversations, while others are suitable for formal writing.

Common Mistakes with Greed Idioms

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using greed idioms:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
He is rolling on the money.	He is rolling in it.	The correct idiom is “rolling in it,” not “rolling on the money.”
She has eyes bigger than her mouth.	She has eyes bigger than her stomach.	The correct idiom is “eyes bigger than one’s stomach,” referring to taking more food than one can eat.
He climbed the ladder to success.	He climbed the ladder. (Implying ruthless behavior)	While “ladder to success” is a common phrase, the idiom “climb the ladder” implies ruthlessness.
She was bitten by the bug of greed.	She was bitten by the greed bug.	The correct idiom is “bitten by the greed bug,” not “bug of greed.”

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of greed idioms with these exercises:

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate idiom from the list below.
(money grabber, filthy rich, rolling in it, line his pockets, pinch pennies, keep up with the Joneses, cash cow, a fool and his money are soon parted, on the take, golden parachute)

Question	Answer
1. The corrupt mayor was found to be ___________ with public funds.	line his pockets
2. After winning the lottery and immediately buying a yacht, it was clear that ____________.	a fool and his money are soon parted
3. Even though he’s ___________, he still insists on couponing at the grocery store.	filthy rich
4. The company’s new software has become a real ___________.	cash cow
5. He’s such a ___________; he’ll do anything for a quick buck.	money grabber
6. The CEO negotiated a generous ___________ before being ousted from the company.	golden parachute
7. They bought a new car just to ___________.	keep up with the Joneses
8. The politician was accused of being ___________, accepting bribes from wealthy donors.	on the take
9. Even though they are __________ from their successful business, they still live modestly.	rolling in it
10. My parents always __________ to save for our college fund.	pinch pennies

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Choose the best definition for the underlined idiom in each sentence.

Question	Options	Answer
1. He always has eyes bigger than his stomach at the buffet.	a) eats very slowly b) takes more food than he can eat c) dislikes buffets d) prefers small portions	b) takes morefood than he can eat
2. The politician was accused of lining his pockets with public funds.	a) donating to charity b) investing wisely c) stealing money d) paying taxes	c) stealing money
3. After his company went public, he was rolling in it.	a) exercising b) very happy c) extremely wealthy d) covered in dirt	c) extremely wealthy
4. The company’s new product became a real cash cow.	a) a failing product b) a high-maintenance item c) a profitable product d) a popular toy	c) a profitable product
5. He’s such a money grabber; he’ll do anything for a quick buck.	a) a generous person b) a careful investor c) a thrifty spender d) someone who aggressively seeks money	d) someone who aggressively seeks money

Advanced Topics in Greed Idioms

For advanced learners, consider these topics:

• Regional Variations: Explore how idioms for greed may vary across different English-speaking regions.
• Historical Context: Research the historical origins of specific greed idioms and how their meanings have evolved over time.
• Literary Analysis: Analyze how authors use greed idioms to portray characters and themes in literature.
• Cross-Cultural Comparisons: Compare greed idioms in English with those in other languages to identify cultural similarities and differences.

FAQ

Conclusion

Mastering idioms for greed is a valuable skill for anyone looking to enhance their understanding and use of the English language. By learning the definitions, usage rules, and common mistakes associated with these idioms, you can communicate more effectively and add depth to your expressions.

Whether you are a student, a writer, or simply a language enthusiast, the knowledge of these idioms will undoubtedly enrich your linguistic toolkit.