# can’t afford sth

idiom · CEFR B1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/cant-afford-sth
Updated: 2026-04-22

## Meaning

to not have enough money to pay for something, or to not be able to do something because it would cause problems later.

## Examples

- I cannot afford a new car right now.
- We really want to go on that vacation, but we cannot afford the high cost of flights this year.
- Although the promotion offered a higher salary, she realized she still could not afford the lifestyle changes that her new social circle expected.

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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.