easy money

American  

noun

1. money obtained with a minimum of effort.

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

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easy money British  

noun

1. money made with little effort, sometimes dishonestly

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

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easy money Idioms  

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of easy money

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

"I think that's a very serious line of inquiry in relation to these events, we've seen a pattern... people taking cash, as it looks like quick and easy money."

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

Getting unhooked from the era of easy money could bring some headaches along the way.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

With the easy money having been made this year on power and electricity companies linked to AI, investors will need a much more selective strategy to see gains in the sector for 2026.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 29, 2025

More than Reiner’s success, however, I want to salute him as an artist who chose creative risks over easy money.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 15, 2025

He was unable to compete with the other bigger shopkeepers whom the easy money to be had from the tanners had drawn to the new town.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya