# Monopoly money

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/monopoly-money
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Money that does not exist; referring to fraudulent record keeping.

## Examples

- That fake currency looks like Monopoly money.
- The accountant realized the company's reported profits were just Monopoly money when the bank account turned out to be empty.
- Investors grew suspicious when they discovered the startup's valuation was based entirely on Monopoly money rather than actual revenue or tangible assets.

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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.