front money

American  

[fruhnt muhn-ee] / ˈfrʌnt ˌmʌn i /

noun

1. money paid in advance, as for goods or services, to a commission agent or the like.

2. capital necessary to begin a business enterprise.

3. Also called advance fee.  money furnished by a company to a financier under a promise to procure funds for it.

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Etymology

Origin of front money

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Taxi services have been tapping into their reserves or getting loans to front money to drivers.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 15, 2022

A.R.C. recommended Carlos, a dependable young man just three years out of prison himself, who — most important — also had his own car and a credit card to front money for gas.

From New York Times • Jul. 16, 2015

It was all a smokescreen, because founder Doug Dobell was by all accounts the most generous of enthusiasts and friends, often willing to front money and forgive debts for jazz projects he liked.

From The Guardian • Apr. 19, 2013

Owen explained: "The toy company called Hasbro which...made the replica dolls of Roland Rat … agreed to pay for say three months' advertising up front and that up front money kept us going."

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2013

And while Ocwen doesn't own those loans, it still loses out when people don't pay on time, since the company has to temporarily front money to investors to make up for the shortfall.

From Time Magazine Archive