the colour of someone's money
see the color of (one's) money
To view the money that one will pay with in order to verify that they have it. Sure I trust you—but I still want to see the color of your money so I know you're good for it.
See also: color, money, of, see
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
the colour of someone's money
If you want to see the colour of someone's money, you want proof that they can pay for something, usually because you doubt that they are able to. Note: `Colour' is spelled `color' in American English. Then he ordered another drink and I said to him: `Let's see the colour of your money.' I thought he wouldn't have any. He made a mental note never to enter into conversation with a customer until he'd at least seen the colour of his money.
See also: colour, money, of
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
- color of someone's money, see the
- funny money
- come into (some) money
- come into money
- be (right) on the money
- be pushed for money
- for a while
- be pressed for money
- be pressed/pushed for money, space, time, etc.
- be burning a hole in (one's) pocket