Well-Heeled: To Be Prosperous 💰
Definition:
To be prosperous: This late nineteenth-century Americanism presumably refers to a well-off person who is not down at the heels but is in fact well shod. “To travel long out West, a man must be, in the local phrase, ‘well heeled,’” wrote W. Beadle (The Undeveloped West, 1873).
Synonyms:
- Wealthy
- Affluent
- Flush
- Loaded
- Rolling in it
Antonyms:
- Poor
- Destitute
- Broke
- Impoverished
- Hard up
Similar Terms and Expressions:
- Having deep pockets
- Sitting on a gold mine
- Raking in the dough
- Swimming in cash
- Money to burn
Proverbs & Idioms:
- “Money makes the world go round.”
- “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.” Meaning: You can’t enjoy both options simultaneously (the luxury of wealth and spending the wealth).
Humor-Filled Quotes:
- “Money may not buy happiness, but I’d rather cry in a Jaguar than on a bus.” — Françoise Sagan
- “The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket.” — Will Rogers
Literature & Art:
- Book: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald A poignant look at the glitz and glamour — and underlying despair — of the wealthy class in the Roaring Twenties.
- Movie: The Wolf of Wall Street An outrageous and over-the-top depiction of wealth, ambition, and the chaotic life of a stockbroker.
- Song: “Material Girl” by Madonna A catchy dance tune reflecting a girl’s desire for material wealth and the finer things in life.
- Poetry: The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S. Eliot Subtly touches on themes of wealth and societal expectation complexities.
Quizzes 🍀
### Which phrase means someone is wealthy?
- [x] Rolling in it
- [ ] Skating on thin ice
- [ ] Biting the bullet
- [ ] Hitting the sack
> **Explanation:** "Rolling in it" is a playful way to imply someone has lots of money. The others describe precarious situations, enduring hardship, or going to bed.
### What’s a humorous quote about money?
- [ ] “Money wrinkles when it cries.”
- [x] “The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket.”
- [ ] “Cash keeps your socks warm.”
- [ ] “A penny saved is a penny from thin air.”
> **Explanation:** Will Rogers’ quote injects a delightful dose of humor into financial wisdom, perfectly capturing the balancing act between spending and saving.
### True or False: 'Having deep pockets’ means being broke.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** "Having deep pockets" actually means being wealthy or financially well-endowed. The phrase "empty pockets" would better describe being broke.
### What's a synonym for 'well-heeled'?
- [ ] Barefoot
- [ ] Down at the heel
- [ ] Monied
- [x] Affluent
> **Explanation:** "Affluent" is a direct synonym for "well-heeled," while the others suggest financial estrangement or lack of proper footwear!
### Which song mentions wealth and desire?
- [ ] "Yesterday" by The Beatles
- [x] "Material Girl" by Madonna
- [ ] "Hello" by Adele
- [ ] "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen
> **Explanation:** Madonna's "Material Girl" prominently features themes of wealth and the desire for material possessions, capturing the essence of being 'well-heeled.'
Farewell Thought: As our dictionary unfolds, may you find delight in the curious caprices of language. Remember, clichés may be overused, but they’re never overrated — each one a small gem in the treasury of words and wisdom. 🌟
Sandra Silverwords, October 2023
