ENGLISH
REFERENCE

line one's pockets

idiom
Meaning

To accumulate personal wealth, especially in an illegal or morally objectionable manner.


Examples
SIMPLE

The corrupt manager tries to line his pockets with company money.

CONTEXTUAL

The politician claimed to care about the public, but he was actually just lining his pockets with tax money.

COMPLEX

By awarding lucrative government contracts to his own shell companies, the official spent years systematically lining his pockets at the expense of the taxpayers.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  3. 03

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  4. 04

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  5. 05

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

  6. 06

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  7. 07

    air one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  8. 08

    albatross around one's neck

    A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.

Last updated July 12, 2026