A small fortune Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈsmɔɫ/ /ˈfɔɹtʃən/, /ˈfɔɹtʃun

uh SMALL FOR-chuhn

UK

æɪ/ /smˈɔːl/ /fˈɔːtʃuːn

uh SMALL FOR-choon

Definition

An expression for a large sum of money, usually more than expected or reasonable. It is often used to talk about something expensive.

Usage & Nuances

Informal and often used with surprise or complaint; typical collocations: 'costs', 'spent', 'paid', 'make', or 'worth'. Suggests the amount is large but not literally a fortune; 'small' is ironic.

• Spanish: una pequeña fortuna
• Portuguese (BR): uma pequena fortuna
• Portuguese (PT): uma pequena fortuna
• Chinese (Simplified): 一笔不小的钱
• Chinese (Traditional): 一筆不小的錢
• Hindi: एक छोटी सी दौलत
• Arabic: ثروة صغيرة
• Bengali: একগুচ্ছ টাকা - অনেক টাকা
• Russian: целое состояние
• Japanese: 大金
• Vietnamese: một khoản tiền lớn
• Korean: 목돈
• Turkish: küçük bir servet - bir servet
• Urdu: ایک چھوٹی سی دولت - بڑی رقم
• Indonesian: sejumlah besar uang

Example Sentences

That watch cost a small fortune.

basic

We spent a small fortune on our vacation.

basic

Buying a new car will cost a small fortune.

basic

I love those shoes, but they must have cost a small fortune!

natural

He spent a small fortune fixing up his old house.

natural

With college tuition these days, you need a small fortune just to get started.

natural