Broke
Meaning
Having absolutely no money, often temporarily, and unable to afford basic necessities or luxuries.
Origin
The concept of being financially 'broke' springs directly from a vivid image of medieval commerce. In the bustling markets of Italy, money lenders conducted their business from benches, or 'banca' in Italian. When a lender failed to meet their obligations and was declared insolvent, their bench was literally smashed or 'rotta' by the authorities, signifying their complete inability to continue trade. This dramatic act gave birth to the term 'banca rotta', which evolved into the English 'bankrupt'. Over time, the more informal and punchy 'broke' emerged as a direct descendant, carrying the same weight of financial ruin but stripping away the formality, making it a common, everyday descriptor for being utterly without funds.
Examples
- After paying all her bills, Sarah was completely broke until her next paycheck arrived.
- I'd love to go on vacation with you, but I'm broke right now and can't afford the trip.