in the black

in the black

Turning a profit; not in debt. This phrase is often applied to businesses and refers to the traditional bookkeeping practice of writing incoming funds in black ink (and outgoing funds in red). I'm pleased to announce that the company is in the black for the fifth consecutive year.
See also: black
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

in the black

Fig. not in debt; in a financially profitable condition. (As opposed to in the red.) I wish my accounts were in the black. Sally moved the company into the black.
See also: black
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

in the black

see under in the red.
See also: black
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

in the black

COMMON If a person or organization is in the black, they do not owe anyone any money. At the moment, banking is free for current account customers who stay in the black. Last year, the company was back in the black, showing a modest pre-tax surplus of £4.6 million. Note: This expression comes from the practice in the past of using black ink to fill in entries on the credit side of a book of accounts. Compare with in the red.
See also: black
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

in the black

not owing any money; solvent.
See also: black
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

in the ˈblack

(business) have money, for example in your bank account; make a profit: The company is back in the black after a year of heavy losses. OPPOSITE: in the red
See also: black
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

in the black

mod. financially solvent; profitable; not in debt. (From a practice of listing expenses in red and income in black.) Now that the company is in the black, there’s a good chance it will become a deal stock.
See also: black
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • be in the black
  • in the red
  • be in the red
  • Lamourette's kiss
  • like Grant took Richmond
  • carry a Chinaman on (one's) back
  • have a Chinaman at (one's) neck
  • have a Chinaman on (one's) back
  • a woman's work is never done
  • blow someone/something to kingdom come
References in periodicals archive
Overton's early experiment in the black press with the Half-Century was followed with the creation of what would become other black institutions in Chicago, such as: the Douglas National Bank in 1922, the Great Northern Real Estate Company around the same time, and the Victory life Insurance Company in 1923.
At the parochial level these shifts led to elevated tension between black consumers and businesses owned by mainstream corporations and Jews in the black community.(49) In fact, a number of corporate and Jewish-owned stores were boycotted on the South Side of Chicago during this period.
In addition, black businesses tended to be undercapitalized, and they operated at lower profit margins than corporate and Jewish-owned businesses in the black community.
In fact, like other black Americans, Fuller found it difficult to obtain loans from mainstream banks to finance his business ventures, so he relied on monies that he could raise in the black community.
Regular contact with black barbers and beauticians increased the visibility of Fuller's company in the black community.
The Limits of Leadership in a Racially Charged Environment: In fact, Fuller became a visible leader in the black community as his business expanded.
He purchased the Regal Theater in Chicago, a center for black entertainment, and he owned several smaller businesses in the black community.
The effects of racism and racial discrimination on minority business development: the case of black manufacturers in Chicago's ethnic beauty aids industry