Quick answer: “Break the bank” means to cost more money than you can afford.
Break the bank means to cost far more money than someone can afford, or to use up all of someone's money. It is most often used in the negative, as in ‘won't break the bank’, to reassure someone that something is affordable.
Origin & History
The phrase evokes a casino or gambling table, where a player's winnings could exceed the amount of money (‘the bank’) the house holds, forcing it to pay out everything it has.
Today the idiom is used far beyond gambling, in everyday conversation about spending, shopping, and budgeting.
Idioms like this are the kind of expression documented in general reference works such as the Cambridge Dictionary, which record how figurative meanings develop in everyday English.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| A weekend trip to the coast won't break the bank. | Travel, budgeting |
| New shoes were pricey, but they didn't break the bank. | Shopping |
| Redecorating the whole house will break the bank if we're not careful. | Home, spending |
| We found a caterer who won't break the bank for the wedding. | Events, budgeting |
| Eating out every night will break the bank eventually. | Everyday spending |
How to Use It
The idiom is almost always used with a modal verb such as ‘will’ or ‘won't’, and usually keeps the fixed article ‘the’: ‘it won't break the bank’, ‘that would break the bank’.
Common Mistakes
Mistakes to Avoid
It will break my bank.
It will break the bank. — Use ‘the bank’, not a possessive.
It will broke the bank.
It will break the bank. — Use the base form ‘break’ after the modal ‘will’.
Break a bank.
Break the bank. — The idiom always uses the fixed article ‘the’.
Similar Idioms
Practise This Idiom
Practice English Idioms
Use these exercises to master idioms in context:
Want to understand the grammar behind this? Explore our Grammar guides.
Quick Check: Break the bank
2 questions — test what you just learned.
1. What does “Break the bank” mean?
2. Complete the sentence: “A weekend trip to the coast won't _____.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "break the bank" mean?
To cost far more money than someone can afford, or to use up all of someone's money. It is most often used in the negative, as in ‘won't break the bank’, to reassure someone that something is affordable.
Where does "break the bank" come from?
The phrase evokes a casino or gambling table, where a player's winnings could exceed the amount of money (‘the bank’) the house holds, forcing it to pay out everything it has.
Can you give an example of "break the bank" in a sentence?
"A weekend trip to the coast won't break the bank." Another: "New shoes were pricey, but they didn't break the bank."
Is "break the bank" formal or informal?
It is informal to neutral, and common in everyday spoken and written English.
What CEFR level is "break the bank"?
B1. It suits learners who are comfortable with figurative, idiomatic language at this level.
What are common mistakes with "break the bank"?
A common mistake is saying “It will break my bank” instead of “It will break the bank”. Use ‘the bank’, not a possessive.
What idioms are similar to "break the bank"?
Related expressions include Cost an arm and a leg, Pay through the nose, Cost a pretty penny.
Can "break the bank" be used in writing?
Yes, it appears in blogs, informal articles, and everyday written messages, though very formal writing may prefer a more direct wording.
How do I practise idioms like "break the bank"?
Use LexFizz Flash Cards and Flip Tiles, and try using "break the bank" in a sentence of your own to connect the idiom to a real situation.
Is there a positive version of this idiom?
Yes. ‘Won't break the bank’ is the most common form, used to say something is affordable rather than expensive.