You probably heard someone using the Italian idiomatic expression “Sono al verde!” and tried to translate wondering what “To be at the green” might mean.
Well, “essere al verde” is a very common idiom which means “to be out of money“, even though you would be more likely to associate that expression to the red colour: in Italy the green colour could come from the medieval custom of wearing a green cap after a bankrupt or to the green table at the casino after losing all the chips.
Now, let’s see some examples to use this nice idiom!
| Italian | English |
| Volevo comprare quel vestito ma sono al verde! | I wanted to buy that dress but I’m broke! |
| Lisa non può venire al ristorante, mi ha detto che è al verde. | Lisa can’t come to the restaurant, she told me that she is out of money. |
| Non posso comprare il regalo di compleanno a Marco, sono completamente al verde! | I can’t buy the birthday present to Marco, I am completely broke! |
Do you know other similar expressions?
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