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

Warsh built his reputation as a hawk by warning for years that easy money would fuel inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nearly ten months later, however, the easy money appears to have been made.

From Barron's

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

From The Wall Street Journal

So when he searched online for a loan to keep himself afloat, a Chinese agent hooked him with an opportunity for easy money.

From The Wall Street Journal

And easy money can backfire on the unwary.

From The Wall Street Journal