money

word building
Money consists of coins (small round metal things) and notes (pieces of paper). This is called cash: I haven't got much cash. Can I pay by cheque? The coins that you have in your purse are called change: Have you got any change for the phone? The money somebody gives you in a shop if you pay too much is also called change: Here's your change.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

money

mon‧ey S1 W1 /ˈmʌni/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: moneie, from Latin moneta 'mint, money', from Moneta, name given to Juno, the goddess in whose temple the ancient Romans produced money]
1. what you earn by working and can use to buy things. Money can be in the form of notes and coins or cheques, and can be kept in a bank:
Don’t spend all your money on the first day of your holiday!
The repairs will cost quite a lot of money.
2. money in the form of coins or notes that you can carry around with you SYN cash:
You’ll find some money in my purse.
I didn’t have any money on me (=I was not carrying any money).
Swiss/Japanese/Turkish etc money
Don’t forget to get some Swiss money before you leave.
We can change some money at the airport (=change it into the money of another country).
3. someone’s wealth, including all the property and other things they own:
The family made their money in the woollen trade.
He had lost all his money gambling.
4. the money informal the amount of money that you earn for doing a job:
It sounds quite an interesting job, but I don’t know what the money’s like yet.
You have to work long hours and the money’s terrible!
5. pay good money for something spoken to spend a lot of money on something:
Don’t let the children jump around on the sofa. I paid good money for that.
6. put/pump/pour money into something to give money to a company or business so that it will become successful and you will earn money from it in the future:
No one’s going to put money into the company while the market is so unstable.
7. there’s money (to be made) in something spoken used to say that you can earn a lot of money from doing a particular job or type of business:
There’s a lot of money in sport these days.
Teaching can be very rewarding, but there’s no money in it.
8. I’m not made of money spoken used to say that you cannot afford something when someone asks you to pay for it.
9. have money to burn to have more money than you need, so that you spend it on unnecessary things:
Unless you’ve got money to burn, these expensive guitars are probably not for you.
10. get your money’s worth to get something worth the price that you paid:
At that price, you want to make sure you get your money’s worth.
11. be in the money informal to have a lot of money suddenly, or when you did not expect to
12. money is no object informal used to say that someone can spend as much money as they want to on something
13. for my money spoken used when giving your opinion about something to emphasize that you believe it strongly:
For my money, he’s one of the best TV comedians ever.
14. put (your) money on something to risk money on the result of a race or competition
15. I’d put (my) money on something spoken used to say that you feel sure that something will happen
16. my money’s on somebody/something (also the smart money’s on somebody/something) spoken used to say that you feel sure someone will win a race or competition, or that something will happen
17. money for old rope British English spoken money that you earn very easily by doing a job that is not difficult
18. put your money where your mouth is informal to show by your actions that you really believe what you say
19. money talks spoken used to say that people with money have power and can get what they want
20. be (right) on the money American English spoken to be completely correct or right:
You were right on the money when you said that he would have to resign.
21. marry (into) money to marry someone whose family is rich
⇨ ↑monies, ↑blood money, ↑hush money, ⇨ give somebody a (good) run for their money at ↑run²(11), ⇨ have a (good) run for your money at ↑run²(12), ⇨ throw money at something at ↑throw¹(19)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ have money I didn’t have enough money to pay for it.
▪ make/earn money She makes a little money by babysitting.
▪ spend money (on something) More money should be spent on training.
▪ cost money/cost a lot of money Good food doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.
▪ save money (=use less money) Companies fired workers to save money.
▪ make money (=make a profit) The farm was beginning to make money at last.
▪ lose money (=not make a profit, so that you then have less money) The movie didn’t attract audiences and lost money for the studio.
▪ pay money (for something) Has he paid the money he owes you?
▪ lend somebody money My dad lent me money to buy a car.
▪ borrow money They arranged to borrow money from the bank to buy a house.
▪ owe somebody money He owes me money.
▪ waste money (on something) Don’t waste your money on a computer that doesn’t have enough memory.
▪ raise money (=do something to get money for a charity, school etc) The Christmas fair raises money for the school.
▪ save up money She had saved up enough money to buy a car.
▪ give somebody their money back (also refund sb’s money) (=give money back to a customer) We regret that we are unable to refund money on tickets.
▪ money goes on something (=is spent on something) All the money went on doctor’s bills.
▪ money comes in (=is earned and received) Rob wasn’t working for a while, so we had less money coming in.
▪ money comes from something (=used to say how someone makes their money) All of Dawson’s money came from drugs.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + money
▪ good money (=a lot of money) Preston earns good money as a lawyer.
▪ big money informal (=a very large amount of money) Basketball players make big money.
▪ easy money (=money that you earn easily) For many, selling drugs seems like easy money.
▪ spending money (=an amount of money that you can spend on anything you want) We had £500 spending money saved for our holiday.
▪ pocket money/spending money British English (=a small amount of money that parents regularly give their children) How much pocket money do you get?
▪ government/taxpayers'/public money More taxpayer’s money should be spent on the railways.
■ phrases
▪ a sum of money (also an amount of money) £10,000 seemed a huge sum of money to me.
▪ be a waste of money Fancy clothes for a baby are a waste of money.
▪ be value for money British English (=used when saying that something is worth the amount of money you pay for it) The holiday was excellent value for money.
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say 'gain money'. Say make money.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ money what you use to buy things, in the form of notes or coins: He spent all his money on computer equipment.
▪ cash money in the form of coins and notes: I didn’t have any cash with me.
▪ currency the money used in a particular country: The dollar gained in value against other currencies. | a single European currency
▪ change money in the form of coins of low value: Do you have any small change? | a pocketful of loose change
▪ note British English, bill American English a piece of paper money: a £20 note | a $5 bill
▪ coin a flat round piece of metal used as money: She put some coins in the parking meter. | He took a coin out of his pocket.
▪ a ten-pence/50-cent etc piece a coin worth a particular amount

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

money

money [money moneys monies] [ˈmʌni] [ˈmʌni] noun

1. uncountable what you earn by working or selling things, and use to buy things
• to borrow/save/spend/earn money
• How much money is there in my account?
• The money is much better in my new job.
• If the item is not satisfactory, you will get your money back.
• We'll need to raise more money (= collect or borrow it) next year.
• Can you lend me some money until tomorrow?

• Be careful with that — it cost a lot of money.

2. uncountable coins or paper notes
• I counted the money carefully.
• Where can I change my money into dollars?

see also funny money, paper money, ready money

3. uncountable a person's wealth including their property
• He lost all his money.

• The family made their money in the 18th century.

4. moneys or monies plural (law or old use) sums of money
• a statement of all monies paid into your account You will find other compounds ending in money at their place in the alphabet.
more at the best that money can buy at best _n., careful with money at careful, coining money at coin _v., see the colour of sb's money at colour _n., easy money at easy _adj., a fool and his money are soon parted at fool _n., it/money doesn't grow on trees at grow, a licence to print money at licence _n., not for love or/nor money at love _n., marry money at marry, expense, money, etc. is no object at object, pay good money for sthyou pays your money and you takes your choice at pay _v., pots of money at pot _n., be rolling in money/it at roll _v., give sb a (good) run for their money at run _n., time is money at time _n.
Idioms: for my money ▪ get your money's worth ▪ good money ▪ have money to burn ▪ in the money ▪ made of money ▪ make money ▪ make money hand over fist ▪ money for jam rope ▪ money is no object ▪ money talks ▪ on the money ▪ put money into something ▪ put your money on somebody ▪ put your money where your mouth is ▪ throw good money after bad ▪ throw money at something ▪ throw your money about
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French moneie, from Latin moneta ‘mint, money’, originally a title of the goddess Juno, in whose temple in Rome money was minted.
Culture:
money
The US dollar is made up of 100 cents. The Department of the Treasury prints bills (= paper money) in various denominations (= values): $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. US bills are all the same size, whatever their value, and measure about 2×6 inches/6.5×15.5 centimetres. All are green and are sometimes called greenbacks. On the front, each has a picture of a famous American. The dollar bill, for instance, shows George Washington, the first US president. An informal name for dollars is bucks, because in the early period of US history people traded the skins of bucks (= deer) and prices would sometimes be given as a number of buckskins. Buck refers to the dollar itself, and not to the bill. So although you can say ‘He earns 500 bucks a week’, you have to say ‘If I give you four quarters could you give me a dollar bill?’
The Treasury also makes US coins: pennies which are worth.01 of a dollar, nickels (.05), dimes (.10) and quarters (.25). There are also half dollars (.50) and silver dollars but these are not often seen. Pennies have a dark brown colour; all the other coins have a silver appearance.
When you write an amount in figures the dollar sign ($) goes to the left of the amount and a decimal point (.) is placed between the dollars and the cents (= hundredths of a dollar). If the amount is less than one dollar, the cent sign (¢) is put after the numbers. So you write $5, $5.62 and 62¢.
Britain’s currency is the pound sterling, written as £ before a figure. A pound consists of 100 pence, written as p with figures. Pound coins are round and gold-coloured. They have the Queen’s head on one side and one of four designs, English, Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish, on the other. The £2 coin is silver-coloured with a gold edge. Coins of lower value are the silver-coloured 50p, 20p, 10p and 5p pieces, and the copper-coloured 2p and 1p pieces. All are round, except for the 50p and 20p pieces which have seven curved sides. Coins are made at the Royal Mint. Paper notes (not bills), which have the Queen’s head on one side and a famous person, e.g. Charles Dickens, on the other, are worth £5, £10, £20 or £50.
A pound is informally called a quid, a £5 note is a fiver, a £10 note is a tenner. Scottish banknotes have their own designs. They can be used anywhere in Britain, though shops can legally refuse to accept them. To prevent people forging (= making their own) paper money, designs are complicated and difficult to copy. To check that a note is genuine, a shop assistant may hold it up to the light to see if it has a narrow silver thread running through it.
The decimal system now in use in Britain replaced the old pounds, shilling and pence, or LSD system in 1971. Formerly British money was in pounds, shillings and pence. There were 12 pence or pennies in a shilling, and 20 shillings in a pound. The old coins included the farthing (= a quarter of a penny) and the half-crown (= two shillings and sixpence). There were notes for 10 shillings, £1 and £5.
Gold guinea coins were used in the 18th century and were worth 21 shillings. Until 1971 prices were often set in guineas instead of pounds for luxury items, such as antiques and jewellery, for the fees of doctors, lawyers, etc, and at auctions, though the guinea coin had long since gone out of circulation. Some racehorses are still auctioned in guineas.
On 1 January 1999 the euro system was introduced in 11 countries of the European Union. Britain chose not to be part of this first group and no date was fixed for Britain to start using the euro. However, many British businesses have euro bank accounts so as to be able to pay for goods and be paid in euros and many shops in Britain accept payment in euros.
Thesaurus:
money noun
1. U
• The hospital is raising money for a new kidney machine.
funds • • finance • • capital • • means • |informal cash •
government/public money/funds/finance/capital/cash
have/lack the money/funds/finance/capital/means/cash (to do sth)
be short of money/funds/capital/cash
2. U
• I counted the money carefully.
cash • • change •
draw out/get out/take out/withdraw money/cash
ready money/cash (= money that you have available to spend immediately)
Money or cash? If it is important to contrast money in the form of coins and notes with money in other forms, use cash:
• Payments can be made by cheque or in cash.
¤ Payments can be made by cheque or in money.
3. U
• He lost all his money on the stock market in 2008.
wealth • • fortune • |often approving prosperity • |sometimes disapproving affluence • |literary riches •
have/possess/accumulate/acquire/inherit money/wealth/a fortune/riches
bring money/wealth/prosperity/affluence/riches
make money/a fortune (on/out of sth)
Collocations:
Finance
Income
earn money/cash/(informal) a fortune
make money/a fortune/(informal) a killing on the stock market
acquire/inherit/amass wealth/a fortune
build up funds/savings
get/receive/leave (sb) an inheritance/a legacy
live on a low wage/a fixed income/a pension
get/receive/draw/collect a pension
depend/be dependent on (BrE) benefits/(NAmE) welfare/social security
Expenditure
spend money/your savings/(informal) a fortune on…
invest/put your savings in…
throw away/waste/ (informal) shell out money on…
lose your money/inheritance/pension
use up/ (informal) wipe out all your savings
pay (in) cash
use/pay by a credit/debit card
pay by/make out a/write sb a/accept a (BrE) cheque/(US) check
change/exchange money/currency (BrE) traveller's cheques/(US) traveler's checks
give/pay/leave (sb) a deposit
Banks
have/hold/open/close/freeze a bank account/an account
credit/debit/pay sth into/take money out of your account
deposit money/funds in your account
withdraw money/cash/£30 from an ATM, etc.
(formal) make a deposit/withdrawal
find/go to/use (especially NAmE) an ATM/(BrE) a cash machine/dispenser
be in credit/in debit/in the black/in the red/overdrawn
Personal finance
manage/handle/plan/run/ (especially BrE) sort out your finances
plan/manage/work out/stick to a budget
offer/extend credit (to sb)
arrange/take out a loan/an overdraft
pay back/repay money/a loan/a debt
pay for sth in (especially BrE) instalments/(NAmE usually) installments
Financial difficulties
get into debt/financial difficulties
be short of/ (informal) be strapped for cash
run out of/owe money
face/get/ (informal) be landed with a bill for £…
can't afford the cost of…/payments/rent
fall behind with/ (especially NAmE) fall behind on the mortgage/repayments/rent
incur/run up/accumulate debts
tackle/reduce/settle your debts
Synonyms:
money
cash • change
These are all words for money in the form of coins or paper notes.
money • money in the form of coins or paper notes: ▪ I counted the money carefully. ◊ ▪ Where can I change my money into dollars? ◊ ▪ paper money ▪ ▪ (= money that is made of paper, not coins)
cash • money in the form of coins or paper notes: ▪ How much cash do you have on you? ◊ ▪ Payments can be made by cheque or ▪ in cash ▪.
money or cash?
If it is important to contrast money in the form of coins and notes and money in other forms, use cash: ▪ How much money/cash do you have on you? ◊ Payments can be made by cheque or in money. ◊ Customers are offered a discount if they pay money.
change • the money that you get back when you have paid for sth giving more money than the amount it costs; coins rather than paper money: ▪ The ticket machine doesn't give change. ◊ ▪ I don't have any ▪ small change ▪ ▪ (= coins of low value) ▪.
to draw out/get out/take out/withdraw money/cash
ready money/cash (= money that you have available to spend immediately)
Example Bank:
• All his money went on women.
• All their money was tied up in long-term investments.
• All these improvements will cost money.
• Did your parents give you pocket money when you were little?
• Government officials were siphoning off money for personal gain.
• Half the money raised was donated to charity.
• He contributed $180 000 in soft money= unregulated political donationsto the party committee.
• He felt sorry for her and took some money off her bill.
• He hoped the plan would bring in quite a bit of money.
• He made a fortune dealing on the money markets.
• He managed to persuade his friend to put up the money for the venture.
• He sank most of his money into his struggling business.
• He spent their rent money on beer.
• He squandered his money on gambling and drink.
• He started stealing as a way of making easy money.
• He stopped at the betting shop to put money on a horse.
• He thinks he can make friends by throwing his money around.
• He was charged with laundering money.
• He'll do anything for money!
• He's going to leave. I'd bet money on it.
• His prediction was right on the money.
• How much money did he earn last year?
• I don't have any money left.
• I don't know how much spending money to take on holiday.
• I don't know where all the money goes!
• I don't think they'll accept French money on the plane.
• I need to pay this money in today.
• I pay my money into the bank as soon as I get paid.
• I spent all the money on clothes.
• I'll have to get some more money from somewhere.
• I'll pay the money back next week, I promise.
• Investors were pouring money into Internet start-ups.
• Is this a good way to spend taxpayers' money?
• Money for the extension to the gallery came from the sale of old exhibits.
• Most of the money went to pay for food.
• Most of the money went to pay for the food and drink.
• She gave him $5 lunch money.
• She had two children to support and no money coming in.
• She lost a lot of money at the casino.
• She stashed the money away in the bank.
• Some of this money was funneled to secret CIA programs.
• Some people were in the street collecting money for charity.
• That painting is worth a lot of money.
• The Senate recognized the need to put more money in the pockets of dairy farmers.
• The boat trip lasts three hours, so you certainly get your money's worth.
• The bookmaker was quite happy to take his money.
• The collection box was full of coins and paper money.
• The company paid hush money to the victims to keep them quiet.
• The friends pooled their money to buy tickets.
• The hotel gives value for money.
• The manager was unwilling to refund my money.
• The money was transferred into an offshore bank account.
• The new airport terminal was built with oil money.
• The quality of public health care depends on the amount of money allocated to it.
• The smart money is on Brazil to win.
• The solution to inflation lies in the control of the money supply.
• The stallholders bank their money at the end of the day.
• The stores were very happy to take his money.
• There is big money in golf for the top players.
• These cars cost a lot of money.
• They demanded $1 million in ransom money.
• They owe lots of people money.
• They sensibly invested their prize money rather than spending it.
• They tend to throw money at problems without trying to work out the best solution.
• This money has been earmarked for public projects.
• We changed our money into dollars at the airport.
• We ran out of money and had to come home early.
• We're trying to set some money aside for a new car.
• Whenever I have a little extra money, I buy clothes.
• Where's the money for the milk?
• You could consider hiring a professional money manager.
• You might get some money off the price if it's an old model.
• an old miser who hoarded his money
• the best car that money can buy
• the large sums of money we handle in this store
• He hoped the project would make money.
• He lost all his money in the 1929 stock market crash.
• He returned the new TV to the store and got his money back.
• It has often been said that money is the root of all evil.

• The money is great in my new job.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

money / ˈmʌn.i / noun [ U ]

A1 coins or notes that are used to buy things, or the amount of these that one person has:

"How much money have you got on you?" "£10 in notes and a few coins."

We invested the money in a high-interest bank account.

I wanted to buy it but it cost too much money (= was too expensive) .

We spent so much money redecorating the house that we didn't have any left over for a holiday.

You can't pay in English money. You'll have to change some money (= buy some foreign money) at the bank.

How much money do you earn ?

He enjoyed acting but he wasn't making (= earning) much money.

Her investments haven't made (= produced as profit) much money this year.

They made their money (= became rich) in the fashion business.

He tried to persuade me to put money into the company (= invest in the company) .

We need to raise (= collect) money for a new school pool from the parents.

Try to save (= keep) some money for your holiday.

We're saving (= not spending as much) money by using volunteers.

I didn't like the job, but the money (= amount of pay) was good.

Money is tight/short (= we haven't got much money) at the moment.

I had some very expensive dental treatment recently, but it was money well spent - it'll save me problems in the future.

money in sth If you say that there is money in something, you mean that the activity will produce a profit:

There's money in sport these days.

There's money in it for you.

Word partners for money

earn / make / raise money • invest / pay / spend money • cost money • save money • borrow / lend / owe money • put money into sth • an amount / sum of money • a waste of money

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

money

/mʌni/
(monies, or moneys)

Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.

1.
Money is the coins or bank notes that you use to buy things, or the sum that you have in a bank account.
A lot of the money that you pay at the cinema goes back to the film distributors...
Players should be allowed to earn money from advertising...
...discounts and money saving offers.
N-UNCOUNT

2.
Monies is used to refer to several separate sums of money that form part of a larger amount that is received or spent. (FORMAL)
We drew up a schedule of payments for the rest of the monies owed.
N-PLURAL

3.
see also blood money, pocket money

4.
If you say that someone has money to burn, you mean that they have more money than they need or that they spend their money on things that you think are unnecessary.
He was a high-earning broker with money to burn.
PHRASE: V inflects

5.
If you are in the money, you have a lot of money to spend. (INFORMAL)
If you are one of the lucky callers chosen to play, you could be in the money.
PHRASE: usu v-link PHR

6.
If you make money, you obtain money by earning it or by making a profit.
...the only bit of the firm that consistently made money.
PHRASE: V inflects

7.
If you say that you want someone to put their money where their mouth is, you want them to spend money to improve a bad situation, instead of just talking about improving it.
The government might be obliged to put its money where its mouth is to prove its commitment.
PHRASE: V inflects

8.
If you say that the smart money is on a particular person or thing, you mean that people who know a lot about it think that this person will be successful, or this thing will happen. (JOURNALISM)
With England not playing, the smart money was on the Germans...
PHRASE

9.
If you say that money talks, you mean that if someone has a lot of money, they also have a lot of power.
The formula in Hollywood is simple–money talks.
PHRASE

10.
If you say that someone is throwing money at a problem, you are critical of them for trying to improve it by spending money on it, instead of doing more thoughtful and practical things to improve it.
The Australian government’s answer to the problem has been to throw money at it.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n [disapproval]

11.
If you say that someone is throwing good money after bad, you are critical of them for trying to improve a bad situation by spending more money on it, instead of doing more thoughtful or practical things to improve it.
Further heavy intervention would be throwing good money after bad.
PHRASE: V inflects [disapproval]

12.
If you get your money’s worth, you get something which is worth the money that it costs or the effort you have put in.
The fans get their money’s worth.
PHRASE: PHR after v

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

money

mon·ey /ˈmʌni/ noun, pl mon·ies or mon·eys /ˈmʌniz/
1 [noncount] : something (such as coins or bills) used as a way to pay for goods and services and to pay people for their work
• Dinner cost a lot of money last night. = We were charged a lot of money for dinner last night.
• a sum of money
• That painting must be worth a lot of money.
• She's been making a lot of money in her new job. = (informal) She's been making big/good money in her new job.
• He earned some money last summer as a musician.
• We're trying to save enough money for a new car.
• The town is raising money for the elementary school.
• Friends would always ask her for money.
• It's an interesting idea, but there's no money in it: it'll never sell.
• The club made money [=earned money; made a profit] by selling advertisements in the newsletter.
• She knew she could make money [=earn a profit] on the deal. = She knew there was money to be made from/on the deal.
• When they take a vacation, money is no object. [=they are not concerned about the price of things] They always stay at the most expensive places.
- see also blood money, funny money, hush money, old money, paper money, pocket money, seed money, soft money, spending money smart money at ¹smart
2 [noncount] : a person's wealth : the money that a person has
• He made his money in the insurance business.
• He lost his money on foolish investments. = He threw all his money away on foolish investments.
• They decided to put all their money in the stock market.
• We didn't have much money when I was growing up.
• She comes from money. [=her family is rich]
• She married into money. [=she married a wealthy man]
- see also marry money at marry
3 monies or moneys [plural] formal : amounts of money
• Most of the project is being paid for by federal monies.
• All monies received will be deposited in a special account.
a run for your money
- see ²run
for love or/nor money
- see ¹love
for my money informal : in my opinion
• This book is, for my money, her best novel yet. [=I think this is her best novel yet]
• For my money, nothing beats a juicy peach on a hot summer day.
in the money
1 US : among the top three finishers in a race (such as a horse race)
• Whatever horse I bet on, it never finishes in the money.
2 informal : having lots of money
• They struggled for many years but now they're in the money.
made of money informal : having a lot of money : rich
• Do I look like I'm made of money?
• Stop asking your father for a bigger allowance. He's not made of money, you know!
money for jam or money for old rope Brit informal : money that is easily earned or gotten : easy money
money talks
- used to say that money has a strong influence on people's actions and decisions
• In politics, money talks. [=people and companies with a lot of money have a powerful influence in politics]
money to burn informal : a large amount of money to spend
• expensive cars for people with money to burn
on the money US informal : exactly right or accurate
• His prediction that it would rain was (right) on the money.
put (your) money on : to bet on (something or someone)
• Everyone there put their money on the underdog.
- often used to say that you feel very sure that something is true, will happen, etc.
• “Do you think he'll win?” “I'd put money on it.”
• It's going to rain tomorrow. I'd put money on it.
put your money where your mouth is informal : to give or spend money or take some action in order to do or support something that you have been talking about
• It's time for the mayor to put his money where his mouth is and increase funding for schools.
throw money around : to spend money in a foolish or careless way
• He really throws (his) money around.
throw money at : to try to solve (a problem) by spending a large amount of money on it without giving enough thought to exactly what should be done
• The flaws in our school system will never be fixed as long as the government continues to just throw money at the problem.
time is money
- used to say that a person's time is as valuable as money;
your money's worth : as much as you deserve because of the money you paid or the effort you made
• His new movie gives his fans their money's worth. [=his new movie is good and is worth the money that his fans pay to see it]
• The people who showed up for the concert certainly got their money's worth.
• He insisted on staying until the end of the show so that he could get his money's worth.