PhrasesHub

Petty cash

    Definitions

      • small amount of money used for minor expenses
        Referring to a small amount of money set aside for small, everyday expenses or purchases

      • insignificant or unimportant matters
        Referring to trivial or unimportant issues or concerns

    Examples of Petty cash

    • The company provides each department with a small amount of money called petty cash to cover miscellaneous expenses that may arise unexpectedly, such as postage, office supplies, or small repairs.

      Petty cash refers to a small sum of money that is kept on hand to pay for minor, everyday expenses that do not require a formal budget or approval process. It is often managed by an administrative or accounting staff member who keeps track of expenditures and reimburses expenditures from the fund.

    • Since we're short on cash this month, we'll have to dip into petty cash to pay for some necessary expenses that won't fit into our current budget.

      In this usage, petty cash is viewed as a temporary solution for covering unforeseen expenses when regular funds are not sufficient. By dipping into petty cash, the speaker is implying that they will be using the reserve money set aside for small, unexpected expenses until they have enough cash flow to pay for these costs in a more permanent way.

    • The IT department has requested access to petty cash to buy some new office computers that they say will improve productivity.

      Here, petty cash is being used as a synonym for a small, discretionary fund that can be accessed without seeking approval from higher-ups. By asking for access to petty cash, the IT department is implying that they do not require significant financial approval to make this purchase and that the cost falls within the parameters of what is considered a minor expense.

    • The company's policy is to replenish petty cash at the end of each quarter, allowing each department to maintain a steady supply of funds for everyday expenses.

      This final example shows how petty cash is cyclical and stable over time, with funds being replenished periodically to ensure that all necessary expenses are being covered. By emphasizing the end-of-quarter replenishment, the speaker indicates that the company values the importance of access to petty cash to maintain fluid operations throughout the year.

    • The company kept a small amount of cash, known as petty cash, in a drawer for miscellaneous expenses that didn't require receipts.

      Petty cash refers to a small sum of money kept on hand to cover minor expenses that don't warrant writing a check. It's often kept in a designated drawer or container.

    • The school's petty cash was used to purchase pencils, erasers, and other classroom supplies as needed.

      In this example, petty cash is being used to refer specifically to the small fund set aside by the school for purchasing miscellaneous classroom supplies.

    • After reviewing our petty cash ledger, we realized we had overspent on office supplies and needed to replenish the balance.

      The phrase "petty cash ledger" refers to a record keeping system for tracking the ins and outs of the small cash reserve. In this example, the speaker recognizes that expenses have exceeded the available cash, requiring action to maintain the intended balance.

    • Our petty cash policy requires all expenses to be documented with a receipt, except for small purchases where change is returned.

      "Petty cash policy" refers to the guidelines established by a company or organization for managing their small cash reserve. In this example, the employer has specified that receipts for most expenses are necessary, but small purchases with change returned (such as a bag of coffee or a pack of gum) are exempt from this requirement.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "petty cash" is commonly used in two different contexts. The first meaning refers to a small amount of money kept on hand for minor expenses, while the second meaning describes insignificant or unimportant matters.

    In the first context, "petty cash" is used to signify a small amount of money that is designated for small, everyday expenses or purchases. It is typically used in a business or organizational setting to cover minor costs without the need for formal approval or requisition.

    In the second context, "petty cash" is used to describe trivial or unimportant issues or concerns. It is often used to dismiss or downplay matters that are deemed as insignificant or of little consequence.

    Overall, the idiom "petty cash" is used to reference both a small amount of money for minor expenses and unimportant matters, depending on the context in which it is used.

    Origin of "Petty cash"

    The origin of the idiom "petty cash" can be traced back to the 16th century in England. The word "petty" in this context comes from the French word "petit," meaning small or little. "Cash" refers to money in the form of coins or banknotes.

    The concept of setting aside a small amount of money for minor expenses has been a common practice in businesses for centuries. It allows for the flexibility of handling small transactions without the need for formal authorization or paperwork. Over time, the term "petty cash" has evolved to also describe insignificant or unimportant matters, reflecting the idea of smallness or triviality. Today, the idiom is widely used in both financial and everyday contexts to refer to small amounts of money and unimportant issues.