# 挥金如土

huī jīn rú tǔ

Spend money extravagantly

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Scatter gold as though it were dirt

**Traditional Chinese:** 揮金如土

**Register:** Critical · general

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Criticize lavish, careless spending.

Generosity with affordable purpose is different.

## Understanding the expression

Gold is valuable, but the spender treats it as ordinary dirt that can be scattered freely. Modern use describes extravagant purchases, lavish entertainment, or careless use of large sums. It usually carries criticism or amazement. The issue is not spending money at all, but the apparent lack of proportion or concern for its value. A generous donation or necessary expense should not automatically be described this way merely because its amount is large.

## Examples

他购物挥金如土，很快花光积蓄。

### Traditional Chinese

他購物揮金如土，很快花光積蓄。

tā gòu wù huī jīn rú tǔ ， hěn kuài huā guāng jī xù 。

His extravagant shopping quickly exhausted his savings.

小说中的富商挥金如土。

### Traditional Chinese

小說中的富商揮金如土。

xiǎo shuō zhōng de fù shāng huī jīn rú tǔ 。

The wealthy merchant in the novel spends lavishly.

她不愿在婚礼上挥金如土。

### Traditional Chinese

她不願在婚禮上揮金如土。

tā bú yuàn zài hūn lǐ shàng huī jīn rú tǔ 。

She does not want to spend extravagantly on the wedding.

别为面子挥金如土。

### Traditional Chinese

別為面子揮金如土。

bié wèi miàn zi huī jīn rú tǔ 。

Do not squander money for appearances.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%8F%AE%E9%87%91%E5%A6%82%E5%9C%9F)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=348&webMd=1&la=0)

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