# coals and coke

idiom · Slang

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/coals-and-coke
Updated: 2026-06-07

## Meaning

broke

## Examples

- I cannot go out tonight because I am coals and coke.
- After paying all my monthly bills, I am officially coals and coke until my next paycheck.
- Despite his previous wealth, a series of unfortunate investments left him completely coals and coke, forcing him to sell his family home.

## Origin

Since both coal and coke used to be supplied in large blocks that had to be broken down before their use.

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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.