30+ Similes for Broke Brutal Truth in Clever Words

Similes for broke perfectly capture the feeling of having no money left, using creative comparisons that are easy to understand, funny, and relatable.

When words like poor, penniless, or financially struggling feel too plain, similes add color, emotion, and clarity to your writing. They help express empty wallets, tight budgets, and hard times in a way that instantly connects with readers.

Whether you’re a student, writer, poet, or content creator, knowing the right simile can make your sentence more vivid, expressive, and memorable. From humorous phrases to serious comparisons, these expressions reflect real-life money problems with style and impact. Using well-crafted similes also improves storytelling, essays, and creative writing, making your message stronger and more engaging.

What Is a Simile?

A simile is a literary device that compares two different things using “like” or “as.”
It helps readers visualize emotions, situations, or conditions more clearly and creatively.

Full List of Similes for Broke

As broke as a church mouse

Meaning: Completely without money.
Definition: A classic simile describing total financial emptiness.
Examples:

• After paying rent, I was as broke as a church mouse.
• He felt as broke as a church mouse by the end of the month.

Broke like a cracked piggy bank

Meaning: No savings left at all.
Definition: Compares being broke to an empty, broken savings bank.
Examples:

• My wallet is broke like a cracked piggy bank.
• She laughed at being broke like a cracked piggy bank.

As broke as an empty wallet

Meaning: Absolutely no cash available.
Definition: A direct and relatable comparison.
Examples:

• I’m as broke as an empty wallet today.
• Traveling made him as broke as an empty wallet.

Broke like a phone with no battery

Meaning: Completely drained of resources.
Definition: Shows financial exhaustion in modern terms.
Examples:

• After shopping, I’m broke like a phone with no battery.
• He’s broke like a phone with no battery till payday.

As broke as a dried-up well

Meaning: No money left to use.
Definition: Compares finances to a water source with nothing left.
Examples:

• My bank account is as broke as a dried-up well.
• She felt as broke as a dried-up well after bills.

Broke like a shattered mirror

Meaning: Financially damaged beyond repair.
Definition: Suggests complete monetary collapse.
Examples:

• The bad investment left him broke like a shattered mirror.
• I’m broke like a shattered mirror this month.

As broke as a leaf in winter

Meaning: Completely stripped of resources.
Definition: Symbolizes emptiness and loss.
Examples:

• I’m as broke as a leaf in winter.
• He felt as broke as a leaf in winter after fees.

Broke like a joke with no punchline

Meaning: Financially disappointing.
Definition: Adds humor to being broke.
Examples:

• My bank balance is broke like a joke with no punchline.
• She smiled, feeling broke like a joke with no punchline.

As broke as a beggar’s bowl

Meaning: Having nothing at all.
Definition: Emphasizes extreme poverty.
Examples:

• I’m as broke as a beggar’s bowl today.
• He joked about being as broke as a beggar’s bowl.

Broke like a deflated balloon

Meaning: Lost all financial strength.
Definition: Suggests sudden loss of money.
Examples:

• My savings went broke like a deflated balloon.
• She felt broke like a deflated balloon.

As broke as a student after finals

Meaning: Extremely low on money.
Definition: A modern and relatable simile.
Examples:

• I’m as broke as a student after finals.
• He laughed, feeling as broke as a student after finals.

Broke like a wallet with holes

Meaning: Money disappears quickly.
Definition: Shows constant financial loss.
Examples:

• I’m broke like a wallet with holes.
• She feels broke like a wallet with holes every week.

As broke as an unplugged ATM

Meaning: Unable to access money.
Definition: A tech-inspired simile.
Examples:

• I’m as broke as an unplugged ATM.
• He was as broke as an unplugged ATM.

Broke like a payday dream

Meaning: Money vanished too fast.
Definition: Highlights short-lived wealth.
Examples:

• My paycheck went broke like a payday dream.
• She sighed, broke like a payday dream.

As broke as a silent cash register

Meaning: No income coming in.
Definition: Shows business or personal financial pause.
Examples:

• The shop was as broke as a silent cash register.
• I feel as broke as a silent cash register.

Broke like a loaned umbrella in rain

Meaning: Financially unreliable.
Definition: Money disappears when needed most.
Examples:

• My savings are broke like a loaned umbrella in rain.
• He joked about being broke like a loaned umbrella in rain.

As broke as a canceled card

Meaning: No spending power left.
Definition: A modern banking comparison.
Examples:

• I’m as broke as a canceled card.
• She felt as broke as a canceled card today.

Broke like a burned receipt

Meaning: Nothing to show for money spent.
Definition: Indicates wasted spending.
Examples:

• I’m broke like a burned receipt.
• He felt broke like a burned receipt.

As broke as a coinless pocket

Meaning: Completely empty.
Definition: Simple and visual.
Examples:

• My jeans are as broke as a coinless pocket.
• She laughed, as broke as a coinless pocket.

Broke like a closed savings account

Meaning: No financial backup.
Definition: Shows zero safety net.
Examples:

• I’m broke like a closed savings account.
• He felt broke like a closed savings account.

As broke as a paused paycheck

Meaning: Income temporarily stopped.
Definition: Highlights financial anxiety.
Examples:

• I’m as broke as a paused paycheck.
• She’s as broke as a paused paycheck.

Broke like a cashless carnival

Meaning: No spending fun left.
Definition: Expresses disappointment creatively.
Examples:

• I’m broke like a cashless carnival.
• He joked about being broke like a cashless carnival.

As broke as an unpaid intern

Meaning: Working without money.
Definition: A relatable modern simile.
Examples:

• I’m as broke as an unpaid intern.
• She laughed, as broke as an unpaid intern.

Broke like a frozen bank account

Meaning: Money inaccessible.
Definition: Shows financial blockage.
Examples:

• I’m broke like a frozen bank account.
• He felt broke like a frozen bank account.

As broke as a bill-filled desk

Meaning: Overwhelmed by expenses.
Definition: Shows money stress.
Examples:

• I’m as broke as a bill-filled desk.
• She sighed, as broke as a bill-filled desk.

Broke like a vanished paycheck

Meaning: Money spent instantly.
Definition: Shows fast financial loss.
Examples:

• I’m broke like a vanished paycheck.
• He laughed, broke like a vanished paycheck.

As broke as a jar of IOUs

Meaning: Only promises, no money.
Definition: Emphasizes debt over cash.
Examples:

• I’m as broke as a jar of IOUs.
• She joked about being as broke as a jar of IOUs.

Broke like a maxed-out card

Meaning: Credit limit reached.
Definition: Shows financial exhaustion.
Examples:

• I’m broke like a maxed-out card.
• He felt broke like a maxed-out card.

As broke as tomorrow’s hope

Meaning: Waiting for future money.
Definition: Poetic and emotional simile.
Examples:

• I’m as broke as tomorrow’s hope.
• She smiled, as broke as tomorrow’s hope.

Using Similes for Broke Like a Pro Writer

To make your writing stand out, sprinkle these similes into:

• Poems: Add humor or sadness to money struggles
• Stories: Show character emotions without saying “poor”
• Songs: Make lyrics relatable and catchy
• Essays: Keep language engaging and vivid

Tip: Don’t overuse them—one strong simile can say more than a paragraph.

FAQs

What are the best similes for broke?

Classic and modern similes for broke like as broke as a church mouse or broke like a maxed-out card work best.

Why are similes useful in writing?

They make ideas clearer, more emotional, and easier to imagine.

Can similes for broke be funny?

Yes, many are humorous and help lighten serious money topics.

Are similes good for SEO content?

Absolutely. They improve readability, engagement, and time on page.

Conclusion

Similes turn financial struggle into creative expression.

These similes for broke help you explain money problems with humor, clarity, and style.

Whether you’re writing casually or professionally, using vivid comparisons keeps readers engaged and entertained.

Try adding a few of these similes to your writing—you’ll sound more creative, relatable, and memorable, which keeps readers clicking and coming back for more.