like water

like water

Excessively or wastefully. Used in the phrase "spend money like water." For years he was an absolute penny-pincher. Now that he's got a steady job, he spends money like water.
See also: like, water
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

like water

in great quantities.
1991 Mark Tully No Full Stops in India Digvijay's supporters allege that George spent money like water to bribe the local leaders.
See also: like, water
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

like ˈwater

(informal) in large amounts; in great quantity: They’re still spending money like water.
See also: like, water
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • spend money like water
  • not have a bean
  • spend like a sailor (on (shore) leave)
  • nickel nurser
  • throw (one's) money about
  • throw (one's) money around
  • throw your money about/around
  • penny pincher
  • penny-pincher
  • pincher
References in classic literature
He did not wear the uniform cloak--which was not obligatory at that epoch of less liberty but more independence--but a cerulean-blue doublet, a little faded and worn, and over this a magnificent baldric, worked in gold, which shone like water ripples in the sun.
Three Musketeers
Try to see this process for yourself: Start by placing the pad of your index finger on the surface of a liquid, like water. Then lift it up quickly--and observe that some water sticks to your finger and then falls back into the water.
What the cat's tongue catches
Imagine global media, both new and old, like water heating up in a pan.
Monitoring the blogosphere: should you take the leap?
Something similar occurs in Ancient of Days, 1979-81, on a Tokyo street, where a crowd and a large electronic sign seem a chaotic, amorphous flow, yet, like water, with a peculiar rhythm giving them inner form.
Deep TV: Bill Viola's via negativa