# poor as a rat

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/poor-as-a-rat
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Synonym of poor as a church mouse.

## Examples

- He has no money and is as poor as a rat.
- After losing his job and his savings, he found himself as poor as a rat, struggling to pay for basic groceries.
- Despite his noble family name, he lived in a tiny attic apartment, remaining as poor as a rat while he pursued his artistic ambitions.

---

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.