licence to print money: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘licence to print money’ mean?
The idiom "licence to print money" means having a situation or opportunity that assures easy and abundant financial success, often with little effort or risk involved.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "take to the bank" means to consider something as certain or reliable, usually in the context of information or promises that can be trusted and relied upon without any doubt or hesitation.
The idiom "rolling in it" means to have an abundance of wealth or money.
The idiom "on the money" means to be exactly correct or accurate.
The idiom "make hay" means to take advantage of an opportunity or to make the most of a situation. It implies being proactive, efficient, and seizing the moment to achieve positive outcomes.
This idiom means to exaggerate or make something seem more serious or important than it really is.
The idiom "make a killing" means to earn a huge profit or be very successful in something, typically in a financial sense. It is often used to describe someone who has made a large amount of money or achieved great success in a particular endeavor.
The idiom "make a go of" means to attempt or try something, often a business or a venture, with the intention of being successful at it.
The idiom "make a break for it" means to try to escape or run away, often from a dangerous or difficult situation.
The idiom "made in the shade" means to be in a position of ease, comfort, or advantage. It suggests that everything is going well and requires little effort or worry.
Unmasking a Lucrative Opportunity
The idiom "licence to print money" is a figure of speech that originated in the late 20th century. It is often used to describe a situation or activity that generates an extraordinary amount of money with little effort or risk. The phrase draws on the concept of a literal license granted by a governing authority to print currency, which implies that the holder of such a license has the power to create wealth at will.
This idiom has its roots in the printing industry, where the printing of money is tightly regulated by governments to maintain the integrity of the currency. Having a license to print money would bestow an almost unlimited ability to generate wealth. The notion of the license implies that it provides a legal and authoritative basis for the activity, suggesting a certain level of official approval and legitimacy.
The idiom "licence to print money" is often used to describe businesses or professions that enjoy a near-monopoly or have a highly advantageous position in the market. Examples include industries such as technology, pharmaceuticals, and finance, where certain companies have a dominant position and can generate significant profits with relatively little effort.
Furthermore, the idiom can be applied to individual products, services, or inventions that are so successful and in such high demand that they generate enormous profits without much additional input or effort. In these cases, the idiom suggests that the product or service is so valuable that it effectively functions as a "money-printing" machine.
It is worth noting that the idiom "licence to print money" is often used figuratively and does not imply any actual legal permission to create currency. Rather, it is used to convey the idea of an exceptional opportunity for wealth creation that is unlikely to be available to the average person.
The idiom "licence to print money" encapsulates the notion of a situation or activity that generates an extraordinary amount of money with minimal effort or risk. Its origins lie in the concept of a license to print currency, which symbolizes the power to create wealth at will. Whether applied to businesses, professions, or individual products, this idiom represents a rare and enviable opportunity for financial success.
in the money. This related idiom is used to describe a person or entity that is in a particularly advantageous financial position. It suggests that the individual or entity is making a significant amount of money and is financially successful. When someone is "in the money," they are experiencing financial prosperity and potentially enjoying the benefits of their wealth.
The idiom "licence to print money" can be related to the expression "in the money" in the sense that both convey the idea of financial success and abundance. Having a license to print money implies the ability to generate significant wealth, while being "in the money" suggests that one is already experiencing the benefits of financial success.
take to the bank. This idiom is often used to express confidence in the truth or certainty of a particular statement or prediction. It suggests that the information or situation in question is reliable and can be trusted without doubt or hesitation. When something can be "taken to the bank," it is considered a safe bet or a sure thing.
The idiom "licence to print money" can be connected to the expression "take to the bank" in the sense that both convey a sense of assurance and reliability. The license to print money implies a guaranteed ability to generate wealth, while something that can be "taken to the bank" is considered a dependable and trustworthy proposition or opportunity.
laugh all the way to the bank. This idiom is used to describe the act of deriving great satisfaction or amusement from a successful financial transaction or endeavor. It suggests that the individual or entity involved is finding the situation highly enjoyable and is deriving great pleasure from their financial gain.
The idiom "licence to print money" can be related to the expression "laugh all the way to the bank" in the sense that both connote a sense of jubilation and enjoyment in relation to financial success. Having a license to print money implies the ability to generate extraordinary wealth, which can undoubtedly be a cause for celebration and joy.
rolling in it. This idiom is used to describe someone who is excessively wealthy or has an abundant amount of money. It suggests that the individual in question is swimming in wealth, such that they are practically surrounded by it. To be "rolling in it" is to have an overwhelming amount of financial resources.
The idiom "licence to print money" can be connected to the expression "rolling in it" in the sense that both convey the idea of extreme wealth and abundance. Having a license to print money implies the ability to generate an extraordinary amount of wealth, while being "rolling in it" suggests that one possesses a truly excessive amount of money.
Example usage
Here are three examples of how the idiom "licence to print money" can be used in a sentence:
- After investing in that successful tech startup, it's as if they've been given a licence to print money as their profits continue to soar.
- The government's decision to grant a monopoly to that pharmaceutical company seems like a licence to print money, as they can now charge exorbitant prices for their medications.
- With their popular sports franchise, the team owners seem to have a licence to print money with ticket sales, merchandise, and advertising all contributing to their massive revenue.
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