Meaning: This idiom refers to a person who is unwilling to spend money or is very frugal. It implies a degree of stinginess or reluctance to part with money.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “He’s so tight-fisted that he never contributes to group gifts.”
- “Despite being wealthy, she remains tight-fisted and rarely donates to charity.”
- “The company is known for being tight-fisted with employee raises and benefits.”
Origin: The idiom “tight-fisted” derives from the image of a person keeping their fist tightly closed around their money, symbolizing an unwillingness to spend or share. The phrase has been in use since at least the 18th century. The word “tight” implies strictness or reluctance, while “fisted” relates to the hand, creating a vivid picture of someone who grips their money so tightly that they are reluctant to let it go. This imagery effectively conveys the idea of stinginess or extreme frugality.
