phrase
General Slang
in the red
in-thuh-RED · phrase · informal
Operating at a financial loss.
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Definitions
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Spending more than is earned; the opposite of 'in the black'.
“The new store is still in the red after six months.”
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in the red In A Sentence
The new store is still in the red after six months.
Origin & Usage
From red ink used for negative figures in accounting ledgers.
People Also Ask
What does 'in the red' mean?
It means losing money or spending more than you earn. The opposite is 'in the black', meaning profitable.
Where does 'in the red' come from?
From the old accounting practice of writing negative figures in red ink in ledgers.
How is 'in the red' used?
To describe a business, account, or budget running at a loss, e.g. 'we're still in the red this quarter'.
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