bogus check
A written order to a bank for a certain amount of funds that has been dishonored, either because such funds are not available or because the given checking account does not exist. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. A lot of bogus checks have been circulating in the area lately, claiming to be from the local university; in reality, they are scams trying to swindle people out of money.
bad check
A written order to a bank for a certain amount of funds that has been dishonored, either because such funds are not available or because the given checking account does not exist. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. A lot of bad checks have been circulating in the area lately, claiming to be from the local university; in reality, they are scams trying to swindle people out of money.
bounced check
A written order to a bank for a certain amount of funds that has been dishonored because such funds are not available in the account in question. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. The bank notified me of several bounced checks that my husband has been writing around the country.
cold check
A written order to a bank for a certain amount of funds that has been dishonored, either because such funds are not available or because the given checking account does not exist. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. A lot of cold checks have been circulating in the area lately, claiming to be from the local university; in reality, they are scams trying to swindle people out of money.
hot check
A written order to a bank for a certain amount of funds that has been dishonored, either because such funds are not available or because the given checking account does not exist. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. A lot of hot checks have been circulating in the area lately, claiming to be from the local university; in reality, they are scams trying to swindle people out of money.
rubber check
A written order to a bank for a certain amount of funds that has been dishonored because such funds are not available in the account in question. "Rubber" here is a play on the bouncing of a check. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. My ex-husband has been writing rubber checks all across the state.
cheque is in the mail
Payment (whether or not in the form of a cheque) is en route or will be sent shortly. Often used as an excuse to avoid the pressure of creditors or someone expecting payment for goods or services. Primarily heard in UK, Canada. A: "Mr. Smith, your mortgage payment is now two months overdue." B: "The cheque's in the mail, I promise you!" A: "Can you lend me $40 until I get paid next week?" B: "Sure thing, the cheque's in the mail."
fake cheque
1. A written order to a bank that has been forged. Primarily heard in UK, Canada. A lot of fake cheques have been circulating in the area lately, claiming to be from the local university; in reality, they are scams trying to swindle people out of money.
2. A written order to a bank for a certain amount of funds that has been dishonored, either because such funds are not available or because the given checking account does not exist. Primarily heard in UK, Canada. My ex-husband has been writing fake cheques all over town to pay for his gambling debt.
live paycheck to paycheck
To spend all of the money one earns by or before the next time one is paid, thus saving none or very little in the process. Primarily heard in US. We're already living paycheck to paycheck, so I don't know how we'll manage this sudden increase in our rent.
take a rain check
To refuse an offer or invitation but with the hope or promise that it can be postponed to a later date or time. I'm sorry, but I'll have to take a rain check for dinner this Saturday. Would next weekend work for you?
take a ride to Tyburn
obsolete To go to one's execution, especially by hanging. (From the Anglo-Saxon town of Tyburn, renowned for its practice of capital punishment.) The knave, found guilty of the theft of a loaf of bread, will be taking a ride to Tyburn in a fortnight's time.
a blank cheque
1. Literally, a cheque presented to someone with the amount left blank, so that it can be written out for the desired total. Mom, can you give me a blank cheque so I can fill it out when I buy my school supplies?
2. By extension, the freedom or permission to spend as much money or use as much resources as needed in pursuit of a desire or goal. The company was having a difficult time retaining good employees, so the manager was given a blank cheque to increase salaries and restructure his department. After the fifth murder, the city's police officers were given a blanque cheque to use whatever resources they needed in order to find the serial killer before he struck again.