in the red
idiom
: spending and owing more money than is being earned
Apparently the company had been in the red for some time before it went out of business.
Examples of in the red in a Sentence
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By the end of the 1920s, many American circuses were in the red, unable to sell enough tickets to sustain the elaborate three-ring enterprises, attract talent, and pay crew.
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Time, 30 Oct. 2025
In one of the first illustrations of Christopher Robin and Pooh from the first book Milne published, the young boy is sporting his signature bowl cut, but Pooh is not yet dressed in the red shirt that has become so familiar to children over the last 100 years.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 29 Oct. 2025
To the defense’s credit, Washington’s explosive first half produced only seven points, which was a testament to Kansas City’s resilience on fourth down and in the red zone.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
The Aztecs were 20-for-20 scoring in the red zone this season, but failed on two trips to the red zone against Fresno State.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
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Time, 30 Oct. 2025
In one of the first illustrations of Christopher Robin and Pooh from the first book Milne published, the young boy is sporting his signature bowl cut, but Pooh is not yet dressed in the red shirt that has become so familiar to children over the last 100 years.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 29 Oct. 2025
To the defense’s credit, Washington’s explosive first half produced only seven points, which was a testament to Kansas City’s resilience on fourth down and in the red zone.
—Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
The Aztecs were 20-for-20 scoring in the red zone this season, but failed on two trips to the red zone against Fresno State.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the red
Cite this Entry
“In the red.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20red. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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