ENGLISH
REFERENCE

on the floor

idiom
Slang Cockney rhyming slang · East London
Meaning

poor


Origin

Used of temporarily penniless housewives.

Examples
SIMPLE

He is on the floor and cannot pay his rent.

CONTEXTUAL

After the business failed, the family was on the floor and had to ask for help.

COMPLEX

Despite his previous wealth, the sudden market crash left him on the floor, struggling to afford even basic necessities.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    have a poor time of it

    Synonym of have a rough time of it (especially financially)

  2. 02

    house poor

    In financial difficulty because of the excessive cost of owning a house, or because the cost of home ownership forms too high a proportion of household income.

  3. 03

    land poor

    In a condition of poverty as a result of inability to meet tax payments or other financial requirements for one's land holdings.

  4. 04

    poor as a church mouse

    Very poor, to the point of starving or begging; utterly destitute.

  5. 05

    poor as a rat

    Synonym of poor as a church mouse.

  6. 06

    poor little rich boy

    An unhappy young man from a wealthy background.

  7. 07

    poor little rich girl

    An unhappy young woman from a wealthy background.

  8. 08

    poor man's shilling

    Honesty.

© 2026 English Reference