What does the idiom "in the black" mean?

The phrase in the black is often used in English, but what does this idiom mean? When idioms are used in the right situations, they strengthen communication and enrich the language. You can communicate more effectively by learning the meaning of in the black.

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.

The meanings of the words in the "in the black" idiom

Idioms have a common language

"The early bird catches the worm" is an English idiom that means that those who wake up early and start their day early are more likely to succeed. A similar idiom in Spanish is "El que madruga, Dios le ayuda," which translates to "God helps those who rise early." This idiom emphasizes the importance of starting the day early in order to achieve success.

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