Ill-gotten Gains

Meaning

Ill-gotten gains: Money or any acquisitions obtained by dishonest, illegal, or evil means.

Sentence Examples

“He seemed a typical rich businessman, but all his wealth was ill-gotten gains.”

“After stealing the jewelry, he needed a place to hide his ill-gotten gains until things cooled down.”

“I won big money at cards but the fact is I cheated. I felt uncomfortable keeping my ill-gotten gains so I gave it all to charity.”

Origin

This idiom used ill in the sense of badly or wrongly and has been used since at least the early part of the 1800’s.

More Idioms Starting with I

• I Could Murder (A Food/Drink)
• It’s All Good
• In One’s Face
• Iron Out
• If I Had My Druthers

More Gain Idioms

• No Pain, No Gain
• Gain Ground

More Got Idioms

• Got Your (or someone’s) Number
• Cat Got Your Tongue

More Ill Idioms

• Ill at Ease

More Money Related Idioms

• What’s the Damage?
• Moolah
• Flat Broke
• Last of the Big Spenders
• Ten-Dollar Word