be in the red
Related to be in the red: put a price on, hold the purse strings
be in the red
To be in debt. This phrase is often applied to businesses and refers to the traditional bookkeeping practice of writing outgoing funds in red ink (and incoming funds in black). We're back in the red because sales are way down this quarter. I have so many outstanding parking tickets that I'll be in the red if I pay them all off at once!
See also: red
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
- in the red
- in the black
- be in the black
- red ink
- pen and ink
- ink in
- carry a Chinaman on (one's) back
- a woman's work is never done
- blow (someone or something) to kingdom come
- blow someone/something to kingdom come