Quick answer: “On the money” means exactly right or accurate.
On the money — Exactly right or accurate, especially about a prediction, judgment, guess, or estimate. It is used to praise precision.
Origin & History
The phrase likely comes from American sports and gambling slang, where a bet, throw, or shot that lands exactly on its target — 'on the money' — wins the full prize.
From there it broadened in the 20th century to describe any assessment, guess, or performance that turns out to be precisely correct. Reference works such as the Cambridge Dictionary catalogue thousands of such figurative expressions, showing how idiomatic meanings take shape over time.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| Her prediction about the election result was right on the money. | Prediction |
| The mechanic's diagnosis was on the money — it was exactly the part he described. | Repair |
| Your estimate of the costs was on the money this time. | Budgeting |
| The comedian's impression of the boss was on the money. | Entertainment |
| His analysis of the market was on the money, almost to the dollar. | Business |
Dialogue Example
A: I guessed the meeting would run over by twenty minutes.
B: You were on the money — it ran over by exactly that.
Common Mistakes
Mistakes to Avoid
Your guess was on money.
Your guess was on the money. — Don't drop the article 'the'.
Her answer was in the money.
Her answer was on the money. — 'In the money' means wealthy or winning a prize; the idiom for accuracy is 'on the money'.
That was on the dollar.
That was on the money. — The fixed noun is 'money', not 'dollar'.
Similar Idioms
Practise This Idiom
Practice English Idioms
Use these exercises to master idioms in context:
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Quick Check: On the money
2 questions — test what you just learned.
1. What does “On the money” mean?
2. Complete the sentence: “Her prediction about the election result was right _____.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "on the money" mean?
"On the money" means exactly right or accurate, especially describing a prediction, guess, judgment, or performance that turns out to be precisely correct.
Where does "on the money" come from?
It likely comes from American sports and gambling slang, where a bet or shot that lands exactly on target wins the full prize. It broadened to mean accuracy generally in the 20th century.
Can you give an example of "on the money" in a sentence?
"Her prediction about the election result was right on the money." It is used whenever a guess or judgment proves exactly correct.
Is "on the money" formal or informal?
It is informal to neutral. It is common in everyday conversation, sports commentary, and business discussion, and acceptable in most non-technical writing.
What CEFR level is "on the money"?
This idiom is typically taught at B2 level, as it relies on a figurative meaning that is not obvious from the individual words.
What are common mistakes with "on the money"?
Common mistakes include dropping the article 'the', confusing it with 'in the money' (which means wealthy), or changing 'money' to 'dollar'.
What idioms are similar to "on the money"?
Similar idioms include: Hit the nail on the head, Spot on, Right on target. These all describe something being exactly correct.
How do I practise idioms like "on the money"?
Try LexFizz's Flash Cards and Flip Tiles exercises, and practise writing your own sentences describing accurate predictions or guesses.
Can "on the money" be used in writing?
Yes, in journalism, reviews, and semi-formal writing to praise accuracy. Avoid it in highly formal academic writing.
Does "on the money" have the same meaning in British and American English?
Yes, it is understood in both, though it originated in American usage. It is now common across English varieties.