Similes for Broke use figurative language for broken things or people to create vivid, relatable imagery that helps writers, students, and anyone tight on money describe their financial struggle. For example, the simile for broke “as broke as a barren tree” gives a clear and creative image of having no money. These as broke as similes paint a powerful picture of hardship and debt by illustrating how to describe a broken person and answer for as broke as what.
From the as broke as to phrases like empty wallet and living on scraps, these fresh similes about money offer meaningful ways to describe being broke or bankrupt.
If you’re crafting a message or just looking for new ways to say “I’m broke,” these financial tombstone examples are perfect for anyone facing financial hardship. They bring emotion and humor to difficult times, making the struggle feel less lonely and more relatable.
Similes for Broke–As Broke As Simile Examples
These similes explore as broke as simile examples that paint powerful pictures of financial hardship. Each simile for broke example uses figurative language to describe being out of money in a creative and relatable way.
As broke as a church mouse
Meaning: Describes someone with very little or no money.
Example Sentence:
“After paying all the bills, I was as broke as a church mouse, unable to afford anything else for the month.”
“He’s as broke as a church mouse, scraping by with just enough to get by.”
As broke as the dawn
Meaning: Refers to someone whose finances are in a very bad state.
Example Sentence:
“She was as broke as the dawn, with nothing but a few coins to her name.”
“After paying for rent and groceries, I was as broke as the dawn, staring at an empty wallet.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As poor as a field mouse 🐭
- As skint as a rag doll 🧸
- As thin as a dried-up riverbed 🌾
As broke as a broken pencil
Meaning: Describes someone who is completely without money.
Example Sentence:
“After all the unexpected expenses, he was as broke as a broken pencil, with nothing left to spend.”
“I’m as broke as a broken pencil, all my funds snapped away by bills and debt.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As flat as a pancake 🍽️
- As empty as a pocket in a ripped pair of jeans 👖
- As spent as a burnt match 🔥
As broke as a forgotten coin
Meaning: Describes someone with very little money, much like an overlooked or lost coin.
Example Sentence:
“After losing my job, I was as broke as a forgotten coin, buried deep in the couch cushions.”
“I’m as broke as a forgotten coin, left with nothing but change rattling in the bottom of my purse.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As empty as an old wallet 👜
- As poor as a dirt road 🌾
- As lean as a stripped-down car 🚗
As broke as a garden in winter
Meaning: A state of financial ruin, similar to how a garden in winter lacks life or growth.
Example Sentence:
“He’s as broke as a garden in winter, nothing left to harvest or grow.”
“Her finances are as broke as a garden in winter, with no fresh income coming in.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As barren as a desert 🌵
- As dry as a dust bowl 🌾
- As withered as autumn leaves 🍂
As broke as a tear in a cloth
Meaning: Describes someone who has been torn apart financially, unable to make ends meet.
Example Sentence:
“I’m as broke as a tear in a cloth, every penny slipping through my fingers.”
“He was as broke as a tear in a cloth, his savings completely unraveled.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As thin as paper 💌
- As fragile as a glass ornament 🎄
- As shredded as old documents 📑
Similes to Describe Financial Struggle
These similes for broken help paint a clear picture of hardship, using figurative language to describe what it feels like to be financially broke.
As broke as a stranded car
Meaning: Refers to being stuck in a situation where you have no resources or options, like a car that is out of gas.
Example Sentence:
“She was as broke as a stranded car, unable to move forward financially.”
“I’m as broke as a stranded car, stuck at the side of the road with no way to get by.”
As broke as a paper bag
Meaning: Refers to someone completely devoid of resources, much like an empty paper bag.
Example Sentence:
“I was as broke as a paper bag after the shopping spree—nothing left but crumpled receipts.”
“She’s as broke as a paper bag, barely enough money to get through the week.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As light as an empty box 📦
- As hollow as an empty jug 🏺
- As crushed as an old soda can 🥤
As broke as a leaky faucet
Meaning: Refers to someone whose money keeps slipping away, like water leaking from a faucet.
Example Sentence:
“I’m as broke as a leaky faucet, money just dripping away faster than I can save.”
“Her finances are as broke as a leaky faucet, with every paycheck slipping through unnoticed.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As leaky as a broken pipe 🚰
- As draining as an open drain 🌊
- As empty as a dried-up well 🏞️
As broke as a cracked mirror
Meaning: Describes someone who is in a fragmented financial state, like a mirror that is no longer whole.
Example Sentence:
“I was as broke as a cracked mirror, every expense shattering my hopes for savings.”
“He’s as broke as a cracked mirror, his finances in pieces after the unexpected bills.”
Funny and Relatable Similes for Being Broke
Add a touch of humor to the tough topic of being out of money with similes that are both light-hearted and true to life. These phrases make even the tightest money situations easier to talk about.
As broke as a deflated balloon
- Meaning: Refers to someone who feels flat or defeated, much like a balloon that has lost all its air.
Example Sentence:
“After the holidays, I was as broke as a deflated balloon, with nothing left to celebrate.”
“She was as broke as a deflated balloon, her bank account drained by surprise expenses.”
As broke as a torn shoelace
Meaning: Describes someone who is financially stretched thin, with very little left to work with.
Example Sentence:
“After the accident, I was as broke as a torn shoelace, struggling to pay for repairs and medical bills.”
“I feel as broke as a torn shoelace, like I’m always one step away from falling apart.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As weak as a frayed cord 🧵
- As fragile as a paper clip 📎
- As split as a cracked screen 📱
As broke as an empty piggy bank
Meaning: Describes a state where there is no money left to fall back on.
Example Sentence:
“After all the gift-giving, I was as broke as an empty piggy bank, with nothing but a few pennies to spare.”
“I’m as broke as an empty piggy bank, having spent every dime I earned this month.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As drained as a coin jar 🪙
- As void as an empty wallet 👛
- As scraped as a bank account 🏦
As broke as a collapsed bridge
Meaning: Describes someone who has hit rock bottom, like a bridge that can no longer support anything.
Example Sentence:
“She was as broke as a collapsed bridge, unable to make ends meet after the job loss.”
“I’m as broke as a collapsed bridge, everything crumbling with no way to rebuild.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As wrecked as a fallen house 🏚️
- As broken as a shattered road 🛣️
- As fragmented as a ruined building 🏛️
As broke as a barren tree
Meaning: Refers to someone in a state of financial desolation, much like a tree that has no leaves or life.
Example Sentence:
“I was as broke as a barren tree, with nothing growing in my savings account.”
“His finances were as broke as a barren tree, no new opportunities to make money.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As dry as a dead plant 🌵
- As empty as a tree without fruit 🍏
- As hopeless as a withered vine 🍇
Figurative Language for Broke
This section offers similes and phrases that enhance your writing craft, making your similes of being broken more expressive and clear. Ideal for students, authors, and content creators.
As broke as a dried-out sponge
Meaning: Describes someone who is financially exhausted, much like a sponge with no more water to absorb.
Example Sentence:
“After months of struggling, I felt as broke as a dried-out sponge, with no more savings left to cushion the blow.”
“She was as broke as a dried-out sponge, her funds completely drained by the bills.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As spent as an empty tank ⛽
- As drained as a squeezed lemon 🍋
- As used up as a paper towel 🧻
As broke as a wilted flower
Meaning: Refers to someone who is financially exhausted and fading, like a flower that has lost its vibrancy.
Example Sentence:
“By the end of the month, I was as broke as a wilted flower, too tired to keep going.”
“I feel as broke as a wilted flower, my money fading away with each bill.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As frail as a dying plant 🌿
- As empty as a dead bush 🌲
- As faded as a petal in fall 🍁
As broke as an overdrawn account
Meaning: Describes someone whose finances have gone beyond their limits, much like a bank account with no funds left.
Example Sentence:
“After spending too much on my credit card, I’m as broke as an overdrawn account.”
“He was as broke as an overdrawn account, living off of borrowed money just to get by.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As bankrupt as a defunct company 🏢
- As spent as a credit card maxed out 💳
- As depleted as an exhausted reserve 💰
As broke as a withered leaf
Meaning: Refers to someone whose financial situation has dried up, similar to a leaf that has lost its vitality.
Example Sentence:
“She was as broke as a withered leaf, her funds shriveled up after all the expenses.”
“I’m as broke as a withered leaf, unable to find anything left to grab onto.”
Other Ways to Say:
As broke as a crumpled receipt
Meaning: Describes someone whose financial situation is in tatters, like a receipt that has been discarded.
Example Sentence:
“After buying all the necessities, I was as broke as a crumpled receipt, every cent spent.”
“His bank account was as broke as a crumpled receipt, too many expenses and too little to show for it.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As torn as an old ticket 🎟️
- As faded as a worn-out coupon 🎫
- As worn as an old receipt 📜
Common Similes for Broke People
This section highlights popular and widely used similes for broke, like “as broke as a beggar” or “as broke as a barren tree”, helping readers express money struggles in a way that feels both familiar and powerful.
As broke as a cracked egg
Meaning: Describes someone whose finances are fragile and on the brink of breaking down.
Example Sentence:
“I was as broke as a cracked egg, my money slipping away piece by piece.”
“She’s as broke as a cracked egg, her savings falling apart like fragile shells.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As fragile as a glass bottle 🍼
- As shattered as a porcelain cup ☕
- As broken as a fallen vase 🏺
As broke as an abandoned car
Meaning: Describes someone whose finances are as neglected and empty as a car left to rust.
Example Sentence:
“After paying off my debts, I was as broke as an abandoned car, parked and forgotten.”
“He was as broke as an abandoned car, his money just left behind, unused and wasted.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As rusted as a forgotten bicycle 🚲
- As worn-out as a used-up skateboard 🛹
- As empty as a wrecked van 🚐
As broke as a torn ticket stub
Meaning: Describes someone whose finances are ripped apart, like a ticket stub that has been torn and discarded.
Example Sentence:
“By the end of the month, I was as broke as a torn ticket stub, every dollar gone.”
“He felt as broke as a torn ticket stub, with no way to get back to a comfortable place.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As broken as an old ticket 🎟️
- As worn as a scratched-up CD 💿
- As torn as a worn-out paper 📜
As broke as an old sofa
Meaning: Refers to someone whose finances are stretched thin, similar to a sofa that has been worn down and is no longer comfortable.
Example Sentence:
“I felt as broke as an old sofa, every penny spent and no cushion to lean on.”
“She was as broke as an old sofa, sinking into debt with no way to escape.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As thin as a worn-out mattress 🛏️
- As faded as a tattered blanket 🛋️
- As frayed as a torn couch cushion 🪑
As broke as a falling star
Meaning: Describes someone whose money is quickly disappearing, like a star burning out before it reaches the ground.
Example Sentence:
“My paycheck disappeared as fast as a falling star, and I was as broke as one before I knew it.”
“She was as broke as a falling star, her funds fading fast after so many unexpected costs.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As fleeting as a disappearing comet 🌠
- As fast as a flickering lightbulb 💡
- As quick as a vanishing rainbow 🌈
As broke as a ghost in a haunted house
Meaning: Refers to someone who is completely invisible or absent in their finances, like a ghost haunting an abandoned place.
Example Sentence:
“I was as broke as a ghost in a haunted house, no money left and no one to turn to.”
“His bank account was as broke as a ghost in a haunted house, no funds and no hope.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As empty as a forgotten tombstone ⚰️
- As invisible as a specter 👻
- As lonely as a deserted mansion 🏚️
As broke as a puddle after a storm
Meaning: Describes someone whose finances have evaporated quickly, like a puddle that disappears after a rainstorm.
Example Sentence:
“After paying all the bills, I was as broke as a puddle after a storm, with nothing left to hold onto.”
“She was as broke as a puddle after a storm, watching her savings vanish into the air.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As drained as an empty river 🌊
- As dried up as a cracked desert 🌵
- As spent as a last drop of water 💧
As broke as a coin slot in a vending machine
Meaning: Refers to someone whose finances are as empty as a coin slot in a vending machine waiting for change.
Example Sentence:
“I was as broke as a coin slot in a vending machine, no money left to buy anything.”
“He was as broke as a coin slot in a vending machine, not even enough to grab a snack.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As empty as a cash register drawer 💸
- As void as a piggy bank without coins 🐖
- As depleted as an ATM without cash 🏧
As broke as a dusty attic
Meaning: Describes someone whose financial situation is stagnant, like an attic filled with forgotten items and dust.
Example Sentence:
“Her bank account was as broke as a dusty attic, with nothing but cobwebs in it.”
“He felt as broke as a dusty attic, where everything was out of sight and forgotten.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As forgotten as an old drawer 📚
- As desolate as an abandoned warehouse 🏚️
- As ignored as a neglected shelf 📦
As broke as a torn calendar page
Meaning: Refers to someone whose finances are as fragmented as a calendar page that has been torn off.
Example Sentence:
“I was as broke as a torn calendar page, watching my savings slip away day by day.”
“His financial situation was as broke as a torn calendar page, with time running out to fix it.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As discarded as an expired coupon 🎟️
- As spent as an old receipt 🧾
- As ruined as a weathered book 📖
As broke as a forgotten library book
Meaning: Describes someone whose financial state is overlooked or neglected, much like a library book that’s been left behind.
Example Sentence:
“By the end of the month, I was as broke as a forgotten library book, lost and neglected.”
“She felt as broke as a forgotten library book, no funds and no way to borrow any more.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As neglected as a dusty manuscript 📜
- As left behind as a missing library card 📚
- As lost as a misplaced textbook 📖
Practical Exercise: Similes for Broke
Objective: Match or create similes that describe the state of being broke. This will enhance creativity and improve descriptive writing skills.
Instructions:
Read each situation carefully.
Choose the most appropriate simile from the options provided.
Write the letter of the correct simile next to each situation number.:
Situations:
A person who spent their last dollar on lunch.
a) As broke as a shattered mirror.
b) As broke as a kite without string.
c) As broke as a piggy bank after a child’s shopping spree.
A student who has no money left after paying for textbooks.
a) Like a car running on empty.
b) As broke as a joke with no punchline.
c) Like a riverbed during a drought.
A traveler who lost their wallet while on vacation.
a) As broke as a bird without wings.
b) Like a wallet without a single coin.
c) As broke as a ladder missing its steps.
A company that went bankrupt after poor investments.
a) Like a sinking ship with no rescue in sight.
b) As broke as a clock that’s stopped ticking.
c) As broke as a tree without its leaves.
An artist who spent all their savings on supplies.
a) Like a palette with no paint left.
b) As broke as an old chair missing a leg.
c) Like a canvas without any color.
A person borrowing money from friends for rent.
a) As broke as a stray dog searching for food.
b) Like a bridge that’s crumbling under pressure.
c) As broke as a jar with a missing lid.
A musician who can’t afford new strings for their guitar.
a) Like a guitar without its melody.
b) As broke as a song with no rhythm.
c) As broke as a band with no instruments.
A shopkeeper who has no sales for an entire week.
a) As broke as a store with empty shelves.
b) Like a bell that’s lost its ring.
c) As broke as a balloon that’s popped.
Answer Key (Example Similes):
c) As broke as a piggy bank after a child’s shopping spree.
b) As broke as a joke with no punchline.
b) Like a wallet without a single coin.
a) Like a sinking ship with no rescue in sight.
a) Like a palette with no paint left.
a) As broke as a stray dog searching for food.
c) As broke as a band with no instruments.
a) As broke as a store with empty shelves.
c) Like a bucket with too many holes to hold water.
b) As broke as a pen with no ink.
Conclusion:
Similes for broke do more than describe a lack of money—they offer powerful, relatable, and sometimes humorous ways to express financial struggle. Whether you’re a student, a writer, or just someone going through a tight-on-money moment, these similes turn hardship into vivid imagery that resonates.
From “as broke as a barren tree” to “as broke as a torn ticket stub,” each simile for being broke adds flair, emotion, and even a bit of comfort.
In the end, using figurative language for broke helps turn a tough situation into something more creative, expressive, and easier to share.
