First recorded in 1925–30
1960–65
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This would have included the value of an individual's home in the means test used to decide what state funding they could get for care in their own homes.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
This is known as a means test - where the level of financial support a person gets is based on the value of their assets and savings.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
As the debate continues, new UK government figures show a spike in claims for Pension Credit since the chancellor revealed plans to means test the winter fuel payment.
From BBC ● Nov. 28, 2024
About 10 million of the current 11.5 million people receiving the payments are expected to stop receiving them when the means test is introduced.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2024
A more ambitious bill approaching the idea of UBI introduced by Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Mondaire Jones, would eliminate the means test, thereby creating a universal child allowance.
From Scientific American ● Jan. 6, 2023
Changes designed to help people cover their personal care costs are due to come into effect in October with moves including a more generous means-test and a lifetime cap on care costs of £86,000.
From BBC ● Jan. 23, 2023
A universal basic income, or UBI, is defined as “a periodic cash payment unconditionally delivered to all on an individual basis, without means-test or work requirement,” according to the Basic Income Earth Network.
From Scientific American ● Jan. 6, 2023
It would also means-test these pauses and make them subject to the Congressional Review Act, an esoteric law that allows the legislature to overturn actions taken by federal agencies, like the Department of Education.
From Salon ● Apr. 30, 2022
“If you means-test and delay implementation and put a lot of complicated requirements in, the program will not work for anyone,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2021
One way for moderates and progressives to bridge their divides is to means-test new social spending, directing it only to those who need it.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 24, 2021
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
