How do you use "Tight-fisted" in a sentence?

He's so tight-fisted he'd skin a flea for its hide. Don't be tight-fisted—buy the team a drink. A tight-fisted boss who never gives raises.

Tight-fisted

Q: What does "Tight-fisted" mean?

Very unwilling to spend money, miserly Describes someone who holds onto money tightly and reluctantly parts with it. Not generous, possibly stingy to the point of meanness.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: Very unwilling to spend money, miserly

非常不愿意花钱的，吝啬的

Muy reacio a gastar dinero, tacaño

お金を使いたがらない、けちな

돈을 쓰기 싫어하는, 인색한

Describes someone who holds onto money tightly and reluctantly parts with it. Not generous, possibly stingy to the point of meanness.

形容一个人紧紧攥着钱，不愿意松手。不大方，可能抠门到刻薄的程度。

Describe a alguien que agarra el dinero con fuerza y se resiste a soltarlo. Nada generoso, posiblemente avaro hasta la mezquindad.

お金をしっかり握りしめて、手放すのを嫌がる人を表す。気前が悪く、意地悪なほどけちな可能性がある。

돈을 꽉 쥐고 놓지 않으려는 것—돈을 쓰기 싫어하는 것. 지나친 인색함을 암시하는 부정적인 표현.

Examples

He's so tight-fisted he'd skin a flea for its hide.
他抠门到能把跳蚤的皮都剥了
Es tan tacaño que despellejaría una pulga por su piel
彼はノミの皮まで剥ぐほどのけちだ
그는 벼룩의 가죽도 벗길 정도로 구두쇠다.
Don't be tight-fisted—buy the team a drink.
别那么小气——请大家喝一杯
No seas agarrado, invita al equipo a algo
けちけちするな——チームにおごってやれよ
쩨쩨하게 굴지 말고 팀에 한턱 내라.
A tight-fisted boss who never gives raises.
一个从不给加薪的抠门老板
Un jefe tacaño que nunca da subidas de sueldo
絶対に昇給しないけちな上司
절대 월급을 올려주지 않는 구두쇠 상사.

Pronunciation

/taɪt ˈfɪstɪd/

Usage Guide

Context: stinginess, spending, generosity

Tone: critical, disapproving

✓ Do Say

He's tight-fisted
他很抠门
Es un tacaño
彼はけちだ
정말 짠돌이야
A tight-fisted person
一个吝啬的人
Una persona tacaña
けちな人
구두쇠 같은 사람

✗ Don't Say

Definitely negative
绝对是贬义
Claramente negativo
明確に否定的
항상 부정적인 표현이에요

Common Mistakes

None—widely understood

Origin & History

From the image of holding money in a tightly closed fist, unwilling to open it and let go. An old expression for miserliness.

Etymology: From tight fist holding money

First recorded: 17th century

Cultural Context

Era: 17th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Scrooge stereotypes

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking world.

Variations

Tight-fistedTight fistedTight