# expensive drunk

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/expensive-drunk
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Someone who must drink a lot of alcohol in order to get intoxicated.

## Examples

- He is an expensive drunk because he needs many drinks to feel anything.
- My friend is such an expensive drunk that we always end up spending a fortune at the bar before he even feels tipsy.
- Despite his reputation as an expensive drunk, he insisted on hosting the party, fully aware that the evening would require a significant investment in spirits.

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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.