in the red

Idioms  

1. In debt, as in Joshua can't keep track of funds, so half the time his company is in the red. This expression alludes to the bookkeeping practice of marking debits in red ink and credits in black. It survives even in the age of computerized accounts. So does the antonym, in the black, for being financially solvent or out of debt, as in Bill was happy to say they were in the black. [Early 1900s]

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Example Sentences

Each of the three major tech sectors, in fact, is in the red this month, with communications services falling 8.1% amid a 12%-plus slide for the Magnificent Seven.

From Barron's • Jun. 29, 2026

Media-related stocks have also been under pressure with Disney, Netflix and Paramount Skydance all in the red this year with Netflix and Paramount down 20% or more.

From Barron's • Jun. 29, 2026

Microsoft’s stock is the weakest performer in the “Magnificent Seven” on a month-to-date basis, but all seven of those major tech stocks are in the red for June so far.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 25, 2026

On Tuesday, shares of SpaceX were briefly in the red before jumping more than 5% in early-afternoon trading, FactSet data showed, at last check.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 23, 2026

The harridan screwed her eyes to slits and looked the lady in the red kirtle up and down.

From "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman