gravy train
Definition
Noun: - A source of easy money or unearned profit: Refers to a job, situation, or activity that provides substantial financial gain or benefits with little effort or work required. It often implies a position of undeserved or excessive advantage.
Usage
The term "gravy train" is used to describe a situation where money or benefits are received abundantly and easily. It carries a connotation of luck, privilege, or exploitation, and is often used critically or enviously. - It is typically used with verbs like ride, be on, get on, or enjoy. - It is a singular, countable noun.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- "to ride the gravy train": To enjoy the benefits of an easy, lucrative situation.
- For years, they rode the gravy train thanks to the monopoly.
- "to be on the gravy train": To be in a position of receiving easy money.
- Once you're in that department, you're on the gravy train.
- "the gravy train is over": Indicates that a period of easy profit has ended.
- With the new regulations, the gravy train is over for those companies.
Variants and Related Words
- Gravy (noun, informal): Money or profit easily or unexpectedly obtained.
- The bonus was pure gravy.
- Easy street (noun, idiomatic): A state of financial comfort or prosperity.
- His invention put him on easy street.
Synonyms
- Easy money: Money earned with little effort.
- Cash cow: A business, product, or asset that generates steady, significant income.
- Windfall: An unexpected, large financial gain.
Related Idioms
- "Living off the fat of the land": Living in luxury, especially at the expense of others or without hard work. (Conceptually related, though not a direct synonym.)
- "Money for old rope" (British English): Payment for very little or easy work.
Noun
-
income obtained with a minimum of effort
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