Rolling in it

Neil Hello and welcome to The English We Speak with me Neil…

Feifei …and me, Feifei. In this programme, we’ve got an expression which means ‘to be very rich’.

Neil
And, as usual, in order to demonstrate the meaning of something, I’m going to make a fool of myself. Now, Feifei, please describe what I’m doing.

Feifei
OK, so now Neil is rolling around on the floor covered in… money.

Neil
So, Feifei, how much money does someone need to roll in it?

Feifei
Lots!

Neil
And so we have an expression in English - ‘to be rolling in it’. It means to be extremely rich.

Feifei
That’s right. Imagine a person has so much money they can literally roll around in it and you can understand this expression. Now get up Neil.

Neil
OK. Let’s hear some examples.

Examples Carlos is always moaning about lack of money but his parents are rolling in it, so he should just ask them for some.

Since tuition fees have been introduced, you need to be rolling in it to afford university.

My neighbours must be rolling in it - they’re having a swimming pool and tennis court built in their garden.

Neil So, there we are - we say someone is ‘rolling in it’ if they’re very rich.

Feifei I’d love to be rolling in it.

Neil OK then - come and join me!

Feifei No, I mean that I’d like to be rich - but that does look quite fun actually… woah!