money talks

Idioms  

1. Wealth has great influence, as in Big contributors to campaigns are generally rewarded with important posts—in politics money talks. The idea behind this idiom was stated by Euripides in the fifth century b.c., and some 2,000 years later Erasmus spoke of “the talking power of money” (Adagia, 1532). The precise current locution, however, only began to be used about 1900.

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Example Sentences

As ever, the loyalists will go where the money talks.

From Slate • Apr. 28, 2026

Zac, a “swaggering tormented fabulist,” had invented a back story in a city where money talks and no one speaks about its provenance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

You know that expression, "money talks, wealth whispers"? Well, these two haven't whispered a day in their lives.

From Salon • Jul. 22, 2023

"If you break it down, money talks - and that was it."

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2023

"Western money talks good straight New York talk," ventured Miss Milbrey, with the air of one who had observed in her time.

From The Spenders A Tale of the Third Generation by Wilson, Harry Leon