strapped for

Idioms  

1. In need of, as in We're strapped for cash this week. Originating in the mid-1800s as simply strapped, meaning “in need of money,” the term acquired for in the first half of the 1900s. Now the term is also used for other needs, as in I can't give you any more firewood; I'm strapped for it myself.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

strapped for

With many parents strapped for cash and heading into the holidays, it's an extra expense to budget for and an awkward etiquette to negotiate.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026

‘I feel like I’m living a lie’: My husband and I pretend we’re strapped for cash in front of friends.

From MarketWatch ● May 27, 2026

Despite having assets above $900 billion, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is strapped for cash.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 18, 2026

Of course, if you’re strapped for cash, you might need to look elsewhere.

From Salon ● Mar. 13, 2026

The race in question was a forgettable weekday event for a trifling purse, but Blume was strapped for money.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand