Meaning

If you're broke, you have no money, or almost none. The picture is a person, or a bank, that has broken and stopped working. "Flat broke" and "dead broke" mean completely broke. "Go broke" means lose all your money, and it's often used for businesses: "The restaurant went broke after a year."

It's informal, and among friends it's normal, even funny: students and young workers say "I'm so broke" all the time, usually meaning "I'm short on cash until payday", not "I'm poor". Talking about your own money this way is fine.

Be careful using it about other people. "They're broke" can sound like judgment. At work or with someone you don't know well, softer phrases work better: "Money's a bit tight right now" or "I can't afford it this month." And don't mix it up with "broken", which is for things: your phone is broken, your wallet is empty.

In a conversation

AnanyaJun
  1. Ananya
  2. Jun
  3. Ananya
  4. Jun
  5. Ananya
  6. Jun

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Check yourself

1Your friend says "I can't go, I'm broke." What's their problem?
2You need to turn down a coworker's expensive lunch invitation. What's the most careful choice?

Practice · 3 min

Listen, then repeat. "Broke" is one strong syllable. Say it with a small sigh, the way people really do.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.