THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
In the red
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
In a financial position where spending exceeds income or an account is below zero.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- The club was in the red after paying for the repairs.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
0 of 1 checked correctly
Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
The club was ________ after paying for the repairs.
Show the answer
In the red — In a financial position where spending exceeds income or an account is below zero.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “In the red” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
In a financial position where spending exceeds income or an account is below zero.
Compare: The club was in the red after paying for the repairs.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.
This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.
GO DEEPER
More ways to understand and use it
Jump to a section
When to use it
Use it when discussing a budget, account or business that is losing money or has a negative balance. It suits everyday and workplace discussion.
More examples in context
- We need to review the event costs so the project does not end up in the red.
- Her account slipped into the red after an unexpected payment went out.
Usage note
Keep the in the phrase. “In the black” is the contrasting expression for a positive financial position; this lesson does not imply that every debt makes a whole business unprofitable.
A short conversation
A: Did ticket sales cover all the costs?
B: No, the event is in the red by £80.
A: Let us review the budget before the next one.
One more practice question
An event earns £400 and costs £480. What is its result?
A. It is £80 in the red.
B. It has made an £80 profit.
Check your answer
A. Costs exceed income by £80, so the event has a loss.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.