money-bag

A shopkeeper places coins into a leather money-bag on the counter.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A bag for holding money: "money-bag" refers to a bag, pouch, or container specifically designed to hold coins, banknotes, or other forms of currency.
   • A wealthy person (plural: money-bags): In informal or derogatory use, "money-bags" denotes a person who is very rich, often with the implication of being miserly or ostentatious about their wealth.

Usage Examples

• Noun (bag):

  • The merchant carried his earnings in a heavy leather money-bag. (A bag used to store coins or notes.)
  • She emptied the money-bag onto the table to count the day's profits. (The container for money.)

• Noun (wealthy person):

  • Old money-bags over there refuses to donate a cent to charity. (A rich person, used in a critical tone.)
  • The money-bags at the golf club flaunt their expensive cars. (Wealthy individuals, often with a negative connotation.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be made of money-bags": (rare, figurative) to be extremely rich.

  • He acts as if he's made of money-bags, but he's actually in debt. (He behaves like a wealthy person.)

• "money-bags" as a nickname: Used humorously or sarcastically for someone who is perceived as rich.

  • They call him Mr. Money-bags because he always pays for everyone. (A playful or mocking nickname.)

Variants and Related Words

• Moneybag (n): a single bag for money (variant spelling without hyphen).

  • The thief grabbed a moneybag from the safe. (A bag of money.)

• Money-bagged (adj): having or resembling a money-bag (rare).

  • The money-bagged merchant was known for his greed. (Characterized by wealth or stinginess.)

Synonyms

• Purse: a small bag for money, often carried by a woman.
• Wallet: a flat, folding case for holding paper money and cards.
• Pouch: a small bag or sack for carrying items.
• Miser (for the person sense): a person who hoards wealth and spends as little as possible.
• Plutocrat: a person who is powerful because of their wealth.

Idioms

• "to sit on a money-bag": to hoard money without spending it.

  • The old landlord sits on a money-bag, refusing to repair the building. (He keeps his wealth unused.)

• "a money-bag with ears": (rare, humorous) a wealthy person who is also shrewd or attentive.

  • Don't underestimate him; he's a money-bag with ears, always listening for deals. (A rich person who is clever.)