licence to print money
A means of generating a large income with little effort.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“That popular new app is a licence to print money.”
“Since the company owns the only bridge in the city, the toll fees are essentially a licence to print money.”
“The corporation secured an exclusive government contract for the software, effectively granting them a licence to print money for the next decade.”
first recorded 20th c.
Often attributed to Lew Grade, and notably used by Roy Thompson of Scottish Television around 1956.
- 01
bees and honey
[Cockney slang]money
- 02
big money
A large amount of money, especially a significant source of revenue or income.
- 03
bread and Honey
[Cockney slang]money
- 04
clean money
Money that is legally or honestly gained or earned.
- 05
coffee money
A small amount of money given as a bribe or gratuity.
- 06
conscience money
Money which is voluntarily paid by a party who feels guilt, and seeks to provide compensation, for some past misdeed or negligence.
- 07
dirty money
Money that is illegally gained, illegally transferred or illegally utilized, especially money gained through forgery, bribery, prostitution, money laundering, or theft.
- 08
easy money
Money that is easily acquired.
Last updated August 10, 2026