talent money
Definition
Noun (uncountable): A sum of money awarded as a bonus or prize to an outstanding player, especially in sports such as football (soccer), for exceptional performance or skill.
Usage Examples
- (A bonus given to an excellent player.)
- (A financial reward for skill.)
- (Money reserved for performance bonuses.)
Advanced Usage
"to receive talent money": to be given a monetary bonus for exceptional play.
- After breaking the scoring record, the forward received talent money from the sponsors. (The player was rewarded financially for outstanding achievement.)
"talent money scheme": a formal system or policy for awarding such bonuses.
- The league introduced a new talent money scheme to attract top athletes. (A structured program for performance bonuses.)
Variants and Related Words
- Talent (noun): natural ability or skill.
- Her talent for playing the piano was evident from a young age. (Innate skill.)
- Talent scout (noun): a person who searches for and recruits talented individuals, especially in sports.
- The talent scout watched the match to find new players for the club. (A recruiter of skilled people.)
Synonyms
- Bonus: an extra sum of money given as a reward.
- Prize money: money awarded for winning or performing well.
- Incentive pay: additional payment intended to motivate performance.
Related Idioms
- Money for old rope: money earned easily or for little effort (not directly synonymous, but contrasts with , which is earned by skill).
- He thought the job was money for old rope, but the talent money required real effort. (Easy money vs. earned bonus.)
Notes on Usage
Talent money is a specific term used primarily in sports contexts, especially in British English, and is not commonly used in everyday conversation. It is distinct from general "prize money" or "bonus" because it explicitly rewards natural ability or exceptional skill rather than just winning.