Meaning: This idiom refers to a person who is extremely frugal or unwilling to spend money, often to an excessive degree. It implies someone who is very careful with their money and tries to avoid unnecessary expenses.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “He’s such a penny-pincher that he won’t even buy a cup of coffee from a café.”
- “My uncle is a notorious penny-pincher; he always looks for the cheapest option.”
- “Being a penny-pincher can be beneficial, but sometimes it’s worth spending a little more for better quality.”
Origin: The term “penny-pincher” dates back to the 19th century and combines the words “penny,” referring to a small unit of currency, and “pinch,” which in this context means to squeeze or to be tight with. The phrase evokes the image of someone squeezing or holding tightly to their pennies, indicating a reluctance to part with even the smallest amounts of money. Over time, it has become a common term used to describe someone who is very thrifty or miserly.
