ɪn ðə blæk
Money & Finance
neutral
intermediate
- Literally:
- Written in black ink
What does "in the black" mean?
- Making a profit or having positive financial balance
- Not in debt; financially stable
Examples
- After years of losses, the company is finally in the black.
- We need to get the budget back in the black.
- The business has been in the black for three consecutive quarters.
Origin
From accounting practices where black ink indicated profit and red ink indicated loss. Being 'in the black' means having positive numbers.
How to use it
Financial term for profitability. Opposite of 'in the red.'
Similar expressions
profitable
making money
in the plus
Opposites
in the red
in debt
losing money
Related idioms
- pay an arm and a leg
To pay an extremely high price
- make ends meet
To earn just enough money to cover basic expenses
- cost an arm and a leg
To be very expensive
- money doesn't grow on trees
Money is not easily acquired; it must be earned
- break the bank
To cost too much money
- hit the jackpot
To achieve great success or win something valuable
Use it in a practice answer
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