B1idiommoneyIELTS-friendly
run up a bill
USUK
to spend or borrow until you owe a large amount of money
Also 'run up a debt'. The amount grows without much thought. Past form: 'ran up'. 'Run up the bill' is also possible when the bill is already known.
In context
Our son ran up a huge bill on his phone while watching videos abroad.
Try not to run up a bill at the hotel bar, because we pay tomorrow.
More idioms about money
- a cash cowa product or business that steadily makes a lot of money
- a false economya way of saving money that ends up costing more later
- a gold minea business or thing that makes a lot of money, or a rich source of something
- a golden handshakea large sum of money paid to someone when they leave a job
- a money pitsomething, often a house or car, that costs you much more money than it is worth