Stony broke
Meaning
To be completely without money; utterly penniless.
Origin
The phrase "stony broke" took root in 19th-century Britain, an era where financial stability was often tenuous. The word "broke" had long been associated with financial ruin, deriving from the verb "to break," meaning to shatter or become bankrupt. But the addition of "stony" elevated the phrase, painting a starker picture. Imagine a barren, stony landscape—hard, unforgiving, and utterly devoid of life or resources. This evocative imagery was applied directly to one's finances, suggesting not just a temporary lack of funds, but a deep, uncompromising emptiness. To be "stony broke" was to be as hard and barren as stone, left with nothing but worthless pebbles, a truly desperate state in a world where money meant survival.
Examples
- After an unexpected car repair, I was stony broke and had to borrow money for groceries.
- They found themselves stony broke after their investment failed, leaving them with nothing but debt.