Break the bank
Meaning
To spend an excessive amount of money, often to the point of depleting one's funds entirely or exceeding a reasonable budget.
Origin
Picture the hushed intensity of a 19th-century casino, where fortunes were made and lost with every spin of the roulette wheel or turn of a card. The 'bank' referred to the total sum of money the casino or individual banker had available to pay out winnings. When a player, through a string of incredible luck or skill, managed to win every single coin and chip from the dealer's table, they literally 'broke the bank.' This dramatic event often meant the table had to close until more funds could be brought in, a vivid testament to a player's monumental win over the house, and thus the phrase entered common language to describe any extravagant expenditure.
Examples
- Buying that luxury sports car would truly break the bank for our family.
- She wanted a beautiful wedding, but not one that would break the bank and put them in debt.