Meaning of Idiom ‘In the Red’
If a business is in the red, it is in debt and losing money.
Opposite of in the black.
Usage Notes
The idiom ‘in the red’ usually refers to businesses but it can be used to refer to an individual’s finances.
Sentence Examples
“Our restaurant has been in the red for the last three years. Unless we start to turn a profit, we’ll have to close soon.”
“The government is in the red again due to the ineptitude of our illustrious leaders.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t lend you any money right now. I’m in the red myself.”
“I know this heavy discount on our new tablets we’ll put us in the red this quarter, but we’ll quickly recoup the loss and more if we follow the plan.”
Origin of ‘In the Red’
Used since the early 1900s, this idiom refers to the bookkeeping practice of marking debits (payments) in red ink and credits (money received) in black.
