In the red

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Meaning

Broke or in debt, all loss.

Origin

From 20th-century America, tied to books; red ink for loss, slang by 1920s in a trade tale for debt. A 1930s 'Wall Street Journal' uses it for a bust.

Usage Examples

  • We're in the red; bills piled up.
  • In the red; business sank.
  • Red ink; cash gone.

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