What does the idiom "in the red" mean?

The expression in the red is one of the idioms that often finds a place in our literature and enriches our language. However, its meaning is not fully understood, so it is sometimes used in the wrong situations. Please review the explanation carefully for the correct use of the in the red idiom.

Meaning of "in the red"

Meaning

The idiom “in the red” is used to refer to a negative financial situation, in which someone has more debts than money. This expression is often used in regards to businesses, banks, or individuals. It is used to describe someone or something who is in debt and does not have enough capital to cover their financial obligations.

Etymology

The origin this idiom is unclear; however, experts believe it has something to do with the notion of “being in the red” on the profit/loss ledger. In the days before computers and digital records, businesses kept track of their income and expenses by writing them down in a ledger. When an income or expenditure was written down, it was coloured either red or black. Red was used to denote a loss, and black was used to denote a profit. Thus, a financial situation in which the losses outweigh the profits would have been written entirely in red, and would be said to be “in the red.”

Usage

The expression “in the red” is used to refer to a negative financial situation, and is often used to refer to individuals, businesses, or banks. It is generally used to describe a situation in which somebody or something has more debts than money. The phrase is usually used in a neutral or non-judgemental manner; however, depending on the context and tone, it can also be used in a derogatory or condescending manner.

Example Sentences

  • The company has been in the red for the past two months, and we’re not sure how to turn things around.
  • The bank is in the red due to the recent economic downturn.
  • After my bad investments, I’m afraid I’m in the red.

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

The Global Spread of English Idioms

As English has become a global language, its idioms have spread far beyond the borders of the UK and USA. For instance, the idiom "beat around the bush" has equivalents in many other languages, such as "tourner autour du pot" in French and "dar vueltas al asunto" in Spanish. Meanwhile, other idioms have been adapted for local contexts, such as the Russian idiom "?? ???? ???????" (ne svoya rubashka), which translates to "not one's own shirt," meaning to be in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar situation.

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