Welcome to English in a Minute,Have you ever been shopping and heard someone say:I don't want to break the bank.This is a simple phrase that you can easily add to your American English vocabulary.Let's hear it in a conversation.
A:I wanted to buy a new car.I saw one at the dealership yesterday,but it was so expensive!
B:How expensive?
A:Very expensive--way too much for me.I can't afford it,and I don't want to break the bank.
This phrase means to use up all of your money,and it comes from gambling.If a gambler wins more money that the casino has on hand,it's called "breaking the bank."And when someone has no money,you can say he is "broke."
And that's English in a Minute.