Laughing all the way to the bank
Meaning
To profit immensely from a situation, often at someone else's expense or in a way that might seem unfair.
Origin
“Laughing all the way to the bank” perfectly encapsulates the gleeful satisfaction of profiting immensely, especially when others might be dismayed. While the sentiment certainly existed before, it was the sharp wit of American humorist H. Allen Smith that solidified the phrase in the public imagination. Smith, known for his satirical observations on human nature and society, titled his popular 1956 memoir, "Lo, The Poor Consumer, or, Laughing All the Way to the Bank." This catchy and evocative phrase immediately resonated, painting a vivid picture of someone unabashedly reveling in their financial triumph, perhaps after a shrewd deal or exploiting an opportunity others missed. Smith's popularization turned a nascent idea into a widely understood idiom for unbridled success in the often cutthroat world of finance.
Examples
- Despite the public outcry over their price hike, the company's executives are laughing all the way to the bank with record profits.
- After selling his struggling startup for a huge sum, he's definitely laughing all the way to the bank, enjoying his newfound wealth.