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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Burn a hole in your pocket

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

To make you feel eager to spend money you have.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. That birthday money is burning a hole in my pocket.

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.

Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

To make you feel eager to spend money you have.
Show the answer

Burn a hole in your pocket — To make you feel eager to spend money you have.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Burn a hole in your pocket” about your own life.

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Does your sentence match this meaning?

To make you feel eager to spend money you have.

Compare: That birthday money is burning a hole in my pocket.

Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use it playfully in informal conversation when someone seems unable to leave available money unspent.

More examples in context

  • His first wages burned a hole in his pocket until he bought the headphones.
  • Do not let your bonus burn a hole in your pocket before you decide what you need.

Usage note

Money is usually the subject: “The money is burning a hole in my pocket.” The expression describes eagerness to spend, not literal damage.

A short conversation

A: Why are you browsing all the shops today?
B: My gift money is burning a hole in my pocket.
A: You could wait until you find something you really want.

One more practice question

What does money burning a hole in someone’s pocket suggest?

A. They are very keen to spend it.
B. They have no interest in spending it.

Check your answer

A. The money creates a strong temptation to buy something.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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