Money for old rope
Meaning: Easy money, profit for minimal effort
British expression for getting paid well for something requiring little work or skill. Like being paid for worthless old rope—easy money for nothing.
Examples
- Consultancy work is money for old rope. 咨询工作简直是白拿钱El trabajo de consultoría es dinero fácilコンサルタント業務は楽して稼げる仕事だ컨설팅 일은 식은 죽 먹기로 돈 버는 거다
- Getting paid to watch TV? That's money for old rope! 看电视还有钱拿?太轻松了!¿Que te paguen por ver la tele? ¡Eso es dinero regalado!テレビを見てお金がもらえるの?楽な稼ぎだ!TV 보면서 돈을 받는다고? 누워서 떡 먹기네!
- The job was money for old rope. 那份工作简直是白拿钱El trabajo era dinero fácilその仕事は楽な稼ぎだった그 일은 누워서 떡 먹기였다
Pronunciation
/ˈmʌni fər əʊld rəʊp/
Usage Guide
Context: easy earnings, cushy jobs, good deals
Tone: satisfied, envious
✓ Do Say
- That's money for old rope那简直是白拿钱Eso es dinero regalado楽な稼ぎだ그건 공짜나 다름없어
- It's money for old rope简直是不劳而获Es dinero fácil濡れ手で粟だ누워서 떡 먹기야
✗ Don't Say
- British expression英式表达Expresión británicaイギリスの表現영국식 표현
Common Mistakes
- Using outside UK where unknown
Origin & History
Possibly from sailors who would unravel old ship's rope to sell as oakum (for caulking ships). Easy work for money. Or from the low value of old rope meaning you're getting money for nothing.
Etymology: Possibly from selling unraveled ship's rope
First recorded: 19th century British
Cultural Context
Era: 19th century onwards
Generation: Older generations mainly
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: British idiom
Regional notes: British primarily. Somewhat dated.
Variations
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