# almighty dollar

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/almighty-dollar
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The dollar, satirically characterized as a god.

## Examples

- Some people worship the almighty dollar above all else.
- Everything in this city seems to revolve around the almighty dollar.
- You cannot ignore the power of the almighty dollar in modern sports.
- The film criticised a society that bows down to the almighty dollar instead of helping the poor.
- The developer decided to cut down the ancient forest because he only cares about the almighty dollar.
- Many artists feel they must choose between their creative passion and chasing the almighty dollar to pay the rent.
- The hospital board was accused of putting the almighty dollar ahead of the health and safety of its patients.
- In his bitter farewell speech, the retiring senator warned that democracy itself was being sacrificed on the altar of the almighty dollar.

## Origin

Most sources hold this to be a coinage of Washington Irving, alluding to "Almighty God", although a Philadelphia newspaper also used the phrase at approximately the same time and Ben Jonson had used "almighty gold" in 1616 in Epistle to Elizabeth, Countess of Rutland.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.