break the bank
idiom
: to be very expensive or too expensive : to cost a lot of money
—usually used in negative statements
Buy a car that's dependable but won't break the bank.
Examples of break the bank in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
By no means does decorating for the holidays have to break the bank.
—
Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2025
Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle Looking for a crowd-pleasing secret Santa gift that won’t break the bank?
—Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 6 Dec. 2025
Some of the most appreciated presents are $50-or-less items that genuinely make life easier — a manicure set that’s more convenient than going to a salon, a weekly meal planner that actually gets used or a pair of stylish sunglasses that don’t break the bank.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2025
If the Yankees want pitching that won't break the bank, this would be a good route to go.
—Patrick McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break the bank
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2025
Owala FreeSip Insulated Water Bottle Looking for a crowd-pleasing secret Santa gift that won’t break the bank?
—Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 6 Dec. 2025
Some of the most appreciated presents are $50-or-less items that genuinely make life easier — a manicure set that’s more convenient than going to a salon, a weekly meal planner that actually gets used or a pair of stylish sunglasses that don’t break the bank.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2025
If the Yankees want pitching that won't break the bank, this would be a good route to go.
—Patrick McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for break the bank
Cite this Entry
“Break the bank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20the%20bank. Accessed 15 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share