penny pincher
Meaning
A person who is extremely frugal and careful with money, often to an excessive or stingy degree.
Origin
From the idea of literally “pinching” (grabbing/holding tightly) even a penny, the smallest common unit of money, implying excessive thrift. Recorded in English from the early 1900s.
Notes
Usually describes someone as overly frugal or stingy; can be mildly teasing or clearly negative depending on tone/context.
Examples
-
My dad is such a penny pincher that he reuses tea bags to save a few cents.
-
She’s a penny pincher, but she’ll spend money on good shoes.
-
He’s not a penny pincher; he just hates wasting money on things he doesn’t need.
-
Everyone called him a penny pincher because he always brought his own lunch instead of eating out.
-
As a penny pincher, I compare prices online before buying anything.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Used as a countable noun: “a penny pincher,” “penny pinchers.” Also “penny-pinching” as an adjective/gerund (often hyphenated).
Synonyms
- cheapskate
- miser
- skinflint
- tightwad
- stingy person
Antonyms
- big spender
- free spender