scattergoad
Definition
- Noun (countable):
- A spendthrift: "scattergoad" refers to a person who habitually spends money in a wasteful or reckless manner, often squandering resources. This term is primarily used in American English.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- He was known as a scattergoad, always buying luxury items he couldn't afford. (A person who wastes money on unnecessary things.)
- The family's fortune was quickly depleted by the scattergoad's extravagant habits. (The wasteful spending of the individual caused financial loss.)
Advanced Usage
- "to be a scattergoad": to be characterized by reckless spending.
- After inheriting the estate, she became a scattergoad, spending thousands on parties and travel. (She engaged in wasteful financial behavior.)
Variants and Related Words
- Scatter (verb): to throw or distribute loosely; to disperse.
- The wind will scatter the leaves across the yard. (To spread things in different directions.)
- Goad (noun): a pointed stick used for driving cattle; figuratively, something that urges or provokes.
- The boss's criticism was a goad to work harder. (A stimulus or incentive.)
- Scatterbrained (adj): lacking the ability to concentrate or think clearly; forgetful.
- She is so scatterbrained that she often loses her keys. (Disorganized or distracted.)
Synonyms
- Spendthrift: a person who spends money in an extravagant, irresponsible way.
- Prodigal: wasteful, especially with money or resources.
- Squanderer: someone who wastes something, especially money or time.
Phrasal Verbs
- Scatter about: to spread or distribute things in a disorganized manner.
- He scattered his belongings about the room. (He left items carelessly in different places.)
- Goad on: to urge or drive someone to act, often with persistence.
- The coach goaded the team on to victory. (He motivated them to perform better.)
Related Idioms
- Burn a hole in one's pocket: (of money) to be spent quickly, often wastefully.
- As soon as he gets paid, the money burns a hole in his pocket — he's a true scattergoad. (He cannot resist spending immediately.)
- Throw money around: to spend money lavishly and carelessly.
- The scattergoad was known for throwing money around at expensive restaurants. (He spent without thought for the cost.)