in the black

Idioms are generally defined as groups of words that form a meaningful whole when they come together, even though the words in them do not make sense on their own. They have produced many idioms according to their own cultural characteristics in communities using the English language. What does in the black mean? In what situations is in the black used?

Meaning of "in the black"

Meaning

The idiom “in the black” is used to refer to a financial situation in which an organization or individual has a net gain—that is, more money coming in than going out. This phrase is the opposite of the phrase “in the red”, which refers to a financial situation in which an organization or individual is in debt.

Etymology

The phrase “in the black” is thought to have originated in the late 19th century, when financiers would color-code ledgers to indicate whether a company was making a profit or a loss. Black was the color of the ink used to indicate profits or gains, while red was used to indicate losses. Thus, when a company was “in the black” it meant that it was recording profits.

Usage

The phrase “in the black” is most often used in a business or financial context, to refer to a situation in which an organization or individual is making a profit. It can also be used more generally to refer to any situation in which a person or organization is “in the money”—that is, achieving success or making gains.

Example Sentences

• The company's quarterly financial report showed that it was in the black for the first time in three years.
• The new software made it possible for the startup to move into the black.
• The small business owner was pleased to see that, after all of his hard work, he was finally in the black.

Idioms with similar meanings in different languages

"Barking up the wrong tree" is an English idiom that means to pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action. In German, the similar idiom is "Auf dem Holzweg sein," which translates to "To be on the wrong track." This idiom emphasizes the idea that when you are pursuing the wrong course of action, you are not going to achieve your desired outcome.