Phrase guide

in the red

prep_phrase · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Having net losses; in debt.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Topics: accounting, business, finance

Examples

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

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

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.http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/202000.html

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: miinuksen puolella — in debt
  • French: dans le rouge — in debt
  • German: in den roten Zahlen — in debt
  • German: in den Roten — in debt
  • Italian: essere al verde — in debt
  • Japanese: 赤字 (akaji) — in debt
  • Korean: 적자 (jeokja) — in debt
  • Portuguese: no vermelho — in debt
  • Russian: в долга́х (v dolgáx) — in debt
  • Spanish: en números rojos — in debt
  • Thai: ติดหนี้ (dtìt nêe) — in debt
  • Thai: เป็นหนี้ (bpen nêe) — in debt
  • Vietnamese: mắc nợ — in debt