Poor as church mice Meaning in English
expression
Definition
Describes someone who has very little or no money, emphasizing extreme poverty in a figurative, often gentle or humorous way.
Usage & Nuances
This expression is informal and often used humorously or sympathetically. Don't use literally—there are no actual mice involved. Often used to describe oneself or others experiencing financial hardship: 'They're as poor as church mice.' Similar alternatives: 'flat broke', 'dirt poor'.
Example Sentences
After losing his job, Tom was poor as church mice.
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They lived poor as church mice for years.
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When I was a student, I was poor as church mice.
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We didn’t have a cent to our name—honestly, we were poor as church mice back then.
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I’d help if I could, but I’m poor as church mice myself right now.
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Back in college, my friends and I joked that we were all poor as church mice every month before payday.
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