poor as a church mouse

(as) poor as a church mouse

Very poor; having little or no money. My father was as poor as a church mouse growing up, so his sole focus was to give his kids every opportunity in life that he missed out on. We've become poor as church mice ever since the bank raised the interest rates on our mortgage.
See also: church, mouse, poor
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*poor as a church mouse

 and *poor as church mice
very poor. (*Also: as ~.) My aunt is as poor as a church mouse. The Browns are poor as church mice.
See also: church, mouse, poor
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

poor as a church mouse

OLD-FASHIONED
If someone is as poor as a church mouse, they have very little money. I was as poor as a church mouse, but I bought that wreck of a car. I suspect we'll continue to be poor as church mice. Note: Mice living in a church are unlikely to find much to eat as there is no kitchen or food cupboard.
See also: church, mouse, poor
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

poor as a church mouse (or as church mice)

extremely poor.
Church mice may be considered to be particularly poor or deprived in that they do not have the opportunity to find pickings from a kitchen or larder.
See also: church, mouse, poor
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

(as) poor as a church ˈmouse

very poor: She was as poor as a church mouse, living on a tiny pension. OPPOSITE: (as) rich as Croesus
See also: church, mouse, poor
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • (as) poor as a church mouse
  • church
  • churchmouse
  • mice
  • poor as a churchmouse
  • make a better, good, poor, etc. fist of something
  • make a poor fist of (something)
  • poor
  • in poor taste
  • poor taste, in