the color of someone's money
- Someone's ability or willingness to pay; money paid and not merely promised.
1749, Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, Folio Society, published 1973, page 153:Marry come up with such gentlemen! though he hath lived here this many years, I don't believe there is arrow a servant in the house ever saw the colour of his money.
2022, Jeffery Farnol, The Broad Highway:"Then supposin' you show me the color o' your money?" he growled, "come, money fust; I aren't takin' no more risks." For answer I laid the coins before him.