PhrasesHub

Pin money

    Definitions

      • extra money for small expenses
        To refer to a small amount of money set aside for minor or incidental expenses

      • insignificant amount of money
        To describe a small or trivial amount of money

    Examples of Pin money

    • Sarah earned some pin money by selling her old clothes at a garage sale last weekend.

      Pin money is a small sum of money that is spent on non-essential items. In this example, Sarah earned some extra money by selling her old clothes, which she can use to buy things she want but doesn't necessarily need.

    • My grandma gives my aunt pin money every month to help her with her hobbies and interests, like painting and gardening.

      Pin money is also used to describe a small income or allowance given to someone to spend on their own personal expenses or hobbies. In this example, Sarah's aunt is receiving a regular allowance from her grandma that she can use to fund her artistic and gardening pursuits.

    • As an adult, Jane finally has enough pin money to afford a luxurious vacation to Bali.

      Pin money can also symbolize a person's ability to save money over time and afford expensive luxuries as they reach a certain level of financial stability. In this example, Jane has been able to save up enough of her own income to fund a lavish vacation to Bali.

    • The CEO of the company proposed a plan to give all employees a small increase in pin money for their hard work and dedication.

      Pin money can also be seen as a reward or incentive for good work or performance. In this example, the CEO is suggesting that all employees receive a small bonus or raise as a recognition of their hard work and dedication to the company. This extra money can then be used to cover non-essential expenses or to fund personal hobbies at the employee's own discretion.

    • Sarah's grandmother used to give her a small amount of pocket money every week, which she called "pin money". Sarah would use this money to buy herself little luxuries, like a new lipstick or a pair of earrings.

      Pin money refers to a small amount of money that is given to someone for personal expenses or indulgences, rather than for necessities. In Sarah's case, the money was sufficient for her to treat herself occasionally, but not enough to cover all her expenses. This idiom comes from the practice of pinning money onto a person's clothing, usually as a gift.

    • John's wife gave him a small dividend cheque from their savings account, which he called "pin money". John used this money to pay for a weekend away with his friends, as he didn't want to touch his regular income.

      Pin money can also refer to unexpected sources of income, such as a dividend or a tax refund. In John's case, he considered this money to be a bonus, which he could use for discretionary purposes rather than budgeted expenses.

    • The charity gave a donation of a few thousand pounds to the local school, which they called "pin money". The school used this money to buy some new sports equipment and some art supplies, as they didn't want to dip into their regular budget.

      Pin money can also be used metaphorically to describe a small amount of resources that can be allocated to a specific purpose without affecting the main budget. In this example, the charity's donation was seen as a supplement to the school's regular income, rather than a substitute.

    • Maria's husband gave her a small credit card with a low limit, which he called "pin money". Maria used this card to buy some clothes and some gifts for her friends, but she always paid off the balance in full every month.

      Pin money can also refer to a small credit line or a prepaid card, which is intended for personal expenses rather than for large purchases. In Maria's case, the card was a convenient way for her to manage her petty cash, without having to carry around coins and notes.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "pin money" can be used to refer to a small amount of extra money set aside for minor expenses, or to describe a small or insignificant amount of money.

    Origin of "Pin money"

    The origin of the idiom "pin money" can be traced back to the practice of women using pins as a form of currency in the 17th century. During this time, pins were expensive and highly valued, and women would often save up their own money to purchase pins for sewing and other household tasks. Over time, the term "pin money" came to represent the small amount of money that women would set aside for their personal use, separate from the household expenses. Today, the idiom is still used to refer to a small amount of extra money for incidental expenses or to describe a trivial amount of money.