C1idiombusinessIELTS-friendly
in the red
USUK
losing money or owing money, because you spend more than you earn
Used about companies and bank accounts. The opposite is 'in the black' (making a profit).
In context
The airline has been in the red for three years because of high fuel prices.
By the end of the month, my bank account is usually in the red.
More idioms about business
- a win-win situationa situation in which everyone involved gets an advantage
- make a killingto make a lot of money quickly and easily
- move the goalpoststo unfairly change the rules or targets while someone is trying to meet them
- the bottom linethe most important fact or point in a situation
- the writing on the wallclear signs that something bad, such as failure or job losses, is going to happen