in the red

English

Etymology

From the standard accounting practice of using red ink to denote negative values, especially a net loss. The first known written use of the phrase is from the "Wise-crack dictionary" (1926) by George H. Maines and Bruce Grant.[1]

Adjective

in the red

1. (idiomatic) (accounting) Having net losses; in debt.

   The figures are going to be in the red this year.

Synonyms

• in the hole

Antonyms

• in the black

Translations

Anagrams

• nithered