easy money

noun

1. money obtained with a minimum of effort.

2. money obtained by deception, fraud, artifice, etc.

easy money

noun

1. money made with little effort, sometimes dishonestly

2. commerce money that can be borrowed at a low interest rate

Word History and Origins

Origin of easy money¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Idioms and Phrases

Money obtained readily, with little effort and, often, illegally. For example, Winning the lottery—that's easy money! or I was wary of making easy money with the insider tips I'd been given. [c. 1900] Also see fast buck.