Just want to make a point to a friend about asking for translating phrases without giving the context in which it was used.
Please give me as many opinions as to what 'in the red' could mean. The person who gets the one I'm thinking of gets best answer. Everyone else who gives a possible alternative meaning gets a thumbs up. Any opinions?
2007-07-02 22:25:57 · 11 answers · asked by Bonbu 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Thanks everyone. It part of a line that tripped my wife up one day. It has nothing to do with debt. (but thanks for the answers!)
2007-07-02 22:32:51 · update #1
My wife watched the movie "Bagdad Cafe" and asked me what "in the red" means, I said in debt. I just watched the movie and realised I was wrong...
2007-07-03 12:02:47 · update #2
Great answer Martin S
2007-07-03 12:03:24 · update #3
in debt
or unlikely) if a girl is on' lol
2007-07-02 22:30:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I've noticed the same thing. When I offer an opinion, it is up to the recipient to take it or leave it. They don't have to agree, but unless the forum in which I offer the opinion is a debate or I offer said opinion with/as a question, I don't appreciate having my opinions rammed back down my throat. That said, I do appreciate the variety of different thoughts and ideas that can be offered on any given topic provided that the expression is reasonably kind and polite even when in disagreement. The world would be a bit boring if everyone had precisely the same opinions, thoughts, and ideas.
2016-05-17 06:27:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means being closely to a collaps, being over the limit.
If you think of a car's tachometre (the one that shows the rpm of the engine) you have a green region, a yellow region and on top there is the red region - the one you should avoid or the engine will brake.
Red is associated with danger with us - red traffic lights, red lights in a car - when those blink you should stop right away and many more.
2007-07-02 23:23:44 · answer #3 · answered by Martin S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It comes from the days when bookeeping was done on paper in actual books.
When you did a cash flow journal, moneys collected and positive balances were recorded in black ink. Expenditures and negative balances were recorded in red ink.
So, being "in the red," meant that you were losing money. The phrase later became a slang term for indebtedness.
2007-07-02 22:35:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"In the red," means you owe money or are in debt. On the other hand, "in the black" means you have a credit.
2007-07-02 22:34:31 · answer #5 · answered by dj 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In debt. Or running a deficit.
2007-07-02 22:29:04 · answer #6 · answered by sharky 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Running in the red is where you don't have enough money, versus what's going out.
2007-07-02 22:30:31 · answer #7 · answered by Shari 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means you should watch your step due to previous mistakes which may make future ones intolerable or unforgivable.
2007-07-02 22:36:18 · answer #8 · answered by ALFyakuza 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
most debit columns in the ledgers in the old days were done in red, hence the saying in the red
2007-07-02 22:34:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
"in the black" means your business is making a big profit.
"In the red" means your business is losing lots of money.
2007-07-02 22:30:32 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means you're in debt. If you were "in the black" you'd have a surplus.
2007-07-02 22:29:36 · answer #11 · answered by 1M9 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋