ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fairy money

idiom
Meaning

Any money or treasure that a person discovers unexpectedly.


Examples
SIMPLE

Finding that old coin felt like finding fairy money.

CONTEXTUAL

She treated her friends to dinner after discovering a forgotten savings account, calling it her fairy money.

COMPLEX

The unexpected inheritance arrived like fairy money, granting the struggling artist the freedom to pursue his passion without the burden of financial anxiety.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    away with the fairies

    Not all there; slightly crazy.

  2. 02

    bees and honey

    [Cockney slang]money

  3. 03

    big money

    A large amount of money, especially a significant source of revenue or income.

  4. 04

    bread and Honey

    [Cockney slang]money

  5. 05

    clean money

    Money that is legally or honestly gained or earned.

  6. 06

    coffee money

    A small amount of money given as a bribe or gratuity.

  7. 07

    conscience money

    Money which is voluntarily paid by a party who feels guilt, and seeks to provide compensation, for some past misdeed or negligence.

  8. 08

    dirty money

    Money that is illegally gained, illegally transferred or illegally utilized, especially money gained through forgery, bribery, prostitution, money laundering, or theft.

Last updated April 17, 2026