When you need to describe someone’s relentless obsession with wealth or power, the word “greedy” can fall flat. It fails to capture the intricate and often dark nature of their desire.
This article will introduce you to a new set of Idioms for Greed, unique expressions that can help you articulate selfishness and insatiable hunger with sharp precision. It’s time to stop just labeling a person and start painting a more complete picture of their character.
Best Idioms for Greed
1. Grabby Hands
Meaning: Eagerly grasping for more, showing greed.
In a Sentence:
His grabby hands reached for every deal, driven by greed.
She showed grabby hands, wanting all the profits.
Other Ways to Say: Greedy paws, Grasping fingers, Covetous reach
2. Money Hungry
Meaning: Obsessed with accumulating wealth, driven by greed.
In a Sentence:
He’s money hungry, always chasing more cash.
Her money-hungry attitude revealed her greed.
Other Ways to Say: Cash-obsessed, Wealth-driven, Greedy for money
3. Have Your Cake and Eat It Too
Meaning: Wanting everything without sacrifice, showing greed.
In a Sentence:
She wants to have her cake and eat it too, pure greed.
His greed made him demand to have his cake and eat it.
Other Ways to Say: Want it all, Greedy desires, Take everything
4. Grasp at Straws
Meaning: Desperately seeking more, often out of greed.
In a Sentence:
His greed had him grasping at straws for more deals.
She grasped at straws, driven by greed for power.
Other Ways to Say: Clutch desperately, Seek greedily, Chase scraps
5. Greedy Guts
Meaning: Someone who wants more than their share, showing gluttony or greed.
In a Sentence:
He’s a greedy guts, taking all the profits.
Her greedy guts attitude showed her thirst for more.
Other Ways to Say: Glutton, Overindulgent, Insatiable
6. Pig at the Trough
Meaning: Aggressively taking more than needed, like a pig feeding greedily.
In a Sentence:
He was a pig at the trough, consumed by greed.
She acted like a pig at the trough, grabbing resources.
Other Ways to Say: Greedy hog, Overeager, Selfish feeder
7. Eyes Bigger Than Your Stomach
Meaning: Wanting more than you can handle, driven by greed.
In a Sentence:
Her eyes were bigger than her stomach, showing greed.
His greed gave him eyes bigger than his stomach.
Other Ways to Say: Overambitious, Want too much, Greedy reach
8. Rake It In
Meaning: To greedily accumulate wealth or benefits.
In a Sentence:
He’s raking it in, driven by pure greed.
Her greed had her raking it in at every chance.
Other Ways to Say: Cash in, Hoard wealth, Gather riches
9. Gold Digger
Meaning: Someone who pursues wealth or status through relationships, out of greed.
In a Sentence:
She’s a gold digger, motivated by greed for luxury.
His gold-digging ways showed his greed clearly.
Other Ways to Say: Fortune hunter, Money seeker, Greedy opportunist
10. Hoard Like a Dragon
Meaning: To greedily collect and guard resources, like a mythical dragon.
In a Sentence:
He hoards like a dragon, driven by greed.
Her greed made her hoard like a dragon.
Other Ways to Say: Stockpile greedily, Guard riches, Amass wealth
11. Hungry for More
Meaning: Insatiable desire for additional wealth or power.
In a Sentence:
His greed kept him hungry for more profits.
She’s hungry for more, showing endless greed.
Other Ways to Say: Insatiable, Craving more, Greedy appetite
12. Gimme Gimme
Meaning: Childishly demanding more, reflecting greed.
In a Sentence:
His gimme gimme attitude screamed greed.
She’s all gimme gimme, driven by selfish greed.
Other Ways to Say: Demanding, Greedy grab, Want it all
13. Cling to the Purse Strings
Meaning: Holding tightly to money or resources out of greed.
In a Sentence:
He clings to the purse strings, full of greed.
Her greed made her cling to the purse strings.
Other Ways to Say: Hoard money, Control wealth, Stingy grip
14. Chasing the Dollar
Meaning: Obsessively pursuing money, driven by greed.
In a Sentence:
He’s chasing the dollar, blinded by greed.
Her greed had her chasing the dollar endlessly.
Other Ways to Say: Money-chasing, Wealth-driven, Greedy pursuit
15. Gobble Up
Meaning: To greedily take or consume everything available.
In a Sentence:
His greed made him gobble up all the profits.
She gobbled up the resources, driven by greed.
Other Ways to Say: Devour, Consume greedily, Take all
Related Post: 50 Idioms for Smart That Turn Wit into Power
16. Green-Eyed Monster
Meaning: Jealousy or greed, wanting what others have.
In a Sentence:
The green-eyed monster fueled his greed for power.
Her greed was a green-eyed monster, always wanting more.
Other Ways to Say: Envy, Covetousness, Jealous greed
17. Grab All You Can
Meaning: Taking as much as possible, driven by greed.
In a Sentence:
His greed had him grab all he could.
She’s grabbing all she can, pure greed at work.
Other Ways to Say: Take everything, Greedy snatch, Hoard all
18. Penny Pincher
Meaning: Someone who hoards money out of greed or stinginess.
In a Sentence:
He’s a penny pincher, driven by greed for savings.
Her greed turned her into a penny pincher.
Other Ways to Say: Stingy, Cheapskate, Money hoarder
19. Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Meaning: Hiding greedy intentions behind a kind facade.
In a Sentence:
His greed hid behind a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
She’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, masking her greed.
Other Ways to Say: Deceptive greed, Hidden motives, False front
20. All Take and No Give
Meaning: Greedily taking without offering anything in return.
In a Sentence:
His all take and no give attitude showed greed.
She’s all take and no give, consumed by greed.
Other Ways to Say: Selfish, One-sided, Greedy taker
21. Greed Is Good
Meaning: A belief that pursuing wealth at all costs is justified.
In a Sentence:
He lives by “greed is good,” chasing wealth relentlessly.
Her “greed is good” mindset drove her ambition.
Other Ways to Say: Wealth-driven, Money-first, Greedy philosophy
22. Snout in the Trough
Meaning: Greedily taking advantage of resources or opportunities.
In a Sentence:
His snout was in the trough, full of greed.
She had her snout in the trough, grabbing profits.
Other Ways to Say: Greedy grab, Feeding frenzy, Selfish dive
23. Lust for Power
Meaning: An intense, greedy desire for control or authority.
In a Sentence:
His lust for power showed his greed clearly.
Her greed fueled a lust for power over others.
Other Ways to Say: Craving control, Power-hungry, Greedy ambition
24. Tight-Fisted
Meaning: Holding onto money or resources out of greed.
In a Sentence:
His tight-fisted ways revealed his greed.
She’s tight-fisted, driven by greed for wealth.
Other Ways to Say: Stingy, Greedy grip, Reluctant to share
25. Hunger for Wealth
Meaning: An insatiable desire for money or riches.
In a Sentence:
His hunger for wealth showed his greed.
Her greed was a hunger for wealth, never satisfied.
Other Ways to Say: Money craving, Wealth obsession, Greedy desire
26. Greedy as a Pig
Meaning: Extremely selfish or voracious, like a pig at feeding time.
In a Sentence:
He’s greedy as a pig, taking everything.
Her greed was as greedy as a pig, unstoppable.
Other Ways to Say: Voracious, Selfish, Insatiable
27. Claw Your Way
Meaning: Aggressively pursuing gains, often out of greed.
In a Sentence:
He clawed his way to riches, driven by greed.
Her greed had her clawing her way to the top.
Other Ways to Say: Fight for gain, Greedy climb, Ruthless pursuit
28. Greed Overflows
Meaning: Excessive desire that spills over, uncontainable.
In a Sentence:
His greed overflows, wanting more every day.
Her greed overflows, chasing endless profits.
Other Ways to Say: Insatiable desire, Overflowing avarice, Endless want
29. Money-Grubber
Meaning: Someone who greedily seeks money at all costs.
In a Sentence:
He’s a money-grubber, driven by pure greed.
Her money-grubbing ways showed her greed clearly.
Other Ways to Say: Cash chaser, Greedy seeker, Wealth hoarder
30. Swallow Whole
Meaning: To take everything greedily, without hesitation.
In a Sentence:
His greed made him swallow whole every opportunity.
She swallowed whole the profits, full of greed.
Other Ways to Say: Devour all, Take everything, Greedy grab
31. Vulture’s Instinct
Meaning: Greedily seeking gain, like a vulture scavenging.
In a Sentence:
His vulture’s instinct showed his greed for deals.
Her greed was like a vulture’s instinct, always hunting.
Other Ways to Say: Scavenger’s greed, Predatory desire, Opportunistic
32. Greedy Glint in the Eye
Meaning: A visible eagerness for gain, showing greed.
In a Sentence:
He had a greedy glint in his eye, wanting more.
Her greedy glint in the eye betrayed her greed.
Other Ways to Say: Covetous look, Hungry gaze, Greedy stare
33. Scramble for Scraps
Meaning: Greedily competing for small gains or leftovers.
In a Sentence:
His greed had him scrambling for scraps.
She scrambled for scraps, driven by greed.
Other Ways to Say: Fight for bits, Greedy grab, Chase leftovers
34. Hoard Like a Squirrel
Meaning: Greedily collecting and storing, like a squirrel with nuts.
In a Sentence:
She hoards like a squirrel, full of greed.
His greed made him hoard like a squirrel.
Other Ways to Say: Stockpile, Gather greedily, Amass
35. Greed Runs Deep
Meaning: A profound, ingrained desire for more.
In a Sentence:
His greed runs deep, never satisfied.
Her greed runs deep, always wanting more.
Other Ways to Say: Deep avarice, Rooted desire, Insatiable want
Related Post: 50 Idioms for Rich Beyond Money and Wealth
36. Snatch and Grab
Meaning: Quickly taking as much as possible, driven by greed.
In a Sentence:
His snatch and grab showed his greed clearly.
She’s all about snatch and grab, full of greed.
Other Ways to Say: Greedy take, Quick grab, Selfish seizure
37. Thirst for Riches
Meaning: An intense, greedy desire for wealth.
In a Sentence:
His thirst for riches revealed his greed.
Her greed was a thirst for riches, unending.
Other Ways to Say: Wealth craving, Money hunger, Greedy desire
38. Greedy as a Goblin
Meaning: Extremely covetous, like a mythical greedy creature.
In a Sentence:
He’s greedy as a goblin, hoarding everything.
Her greed was as greedy as a goblin’s.
Other Ways to Say: Insatiable, Covetous, Greedy creature
39. Take the Lion’s Share
Meaning: To greedily take the largest portion of something.
In a Sentence:
His greed took the lion’s share of the profits.
She took the lion’s share, driven by greed.
Other Ways to Say: Grab the most, Take the bulk, Greedy portion
40. Hunger for Power
Meaning: A greedy desire for control or authority.
In a Sentence:
His hunger for power showed his greed.
Her greed fueled a hunger for power over all.
Other Ways to Say: Crave control, Power-hungry, Greedy ambition
41. Greedy Grasp
Meaning: Aggressively reaching for more, showing greed.
In a Sentence:
His greedy grasp took all the resources.
Her greedy grasp revealed her endless greed.
Other Ways to Say: Covetous reach, Selfish grab, Greedy clutch
42. Pile Up Riches
Meaning: To greedily accumulate wealth or possessions.
In a Sentence:
He piled up riches, driven by greed.
Her greed had her piling up riches endlessly.
Other Ways to Say: Amass wealth, Hoard riches, Gather greedily
43. Greed’s Grip
Meaning: Being controlled or consumed by greedy desires.
In a Sentence:
Greed’s grip held him, chasing more wealth.
She was in greed’s grip, wanting everything.
Other Ways to Say: Greedy hold, Avarice’s control, Consumed by want
44. Chase the Golden Goose
Meaning: Pursuing wealth or success greedily, like a mythical prize.
In a Sentence:
His greed had him chasing the golden goose.
She chased the golden goose, full of greed.
Other Ways to Say: Pursue riches, Seek wealth, Greedy chase
45. Greedy as a Vulture
Meaning: Ruthlessly seeking gain, like a scavenging vulture.
In a Sentence:
He’s greedy as a vulture, taking every opportunity.
Her greed was as greedy as a vulture’s.
Other Ways to Say: Predatory, Scavenging, Insatiable
46. Clamoring for More
Meaning: Loudly or eagerly demanding more, driven by greed.
In a Sentence:
His greed had him clamoring for more profits.
She’s clamoring for more, showing her greed.
Other Ways to Say: Demanding more, Greedy clamor, Insatiable want
47. Greed’s Hunger
Meaning: An intense, insatiable desire for more, like a constant hunger.
In a Sentence:
Greed’s hunger drove him to take everything.
Her greed’s hunger never seemed to fade.
Other Ways to Say: Insatiable desire, Greedy craving, Endless want
48. Hog It All
Meaning: To greedily take everything for oneself.
In a Sentence:
His greed made him hog it all, leaving nothing.
She hogged it all, driven by pure greed.
Other Ways to Say: Take everything, Greedy grab, Selfish hoard
49. Greedy Heart
Meaning: A heart consumed by desire for more wealth or power.
In a Sentence:
His greedy heart chased endless riches.
Her greedy heart wanted more at any cost.
Other Ways to Say: Covetous soul, Selfish desire, Greedy spirit
50. Feast on Riches
Meaning: To greedily indulge in wealth or resources.
In a Sentence:
His greed had him feasting on riches daily.
She feasted on riches, driven by greed.
Other Ways to Say: Devour wealth, Indulge greedily, Consume riches
Exercise to Practice – Idioms for Greed
- He’s a true _________________________; he only dates women who come from wealthy families.
- I’m tired of his _________________________ attitude; he never offers to help but is always the first one to take the credit.
- The company was accused of being a _________________________ when they laid off employees after a record-breaking profit year.
- She made a fortune from the tech boom, but her _________________________ meant she never spent a single penny.
- He _________________________ all the attention at the party, not letting anyone else get a word in.
- The politician was a master of deception, appearing to be a man of the people while being a _________________________ behind the scenes.
- She’s so ambitious; she’s not just chasing a promotion, she has a _________________________ to lead the entire department.
- I felt the _________________________ when my friend got the job I had been dreaming of.
- He never feels satisfied with his success; he’s always _________________________ for something more.
- The greedy CEO _________________________ of the profits, leaving very little for the hardworking employees.
Answer Key
- gold digger
- all take and no give
- money hungry
- tight-fisted
- hogged it all
- wolf in sheep’s clothing
- lust for power
- green-eyed monster
- hungry for more
- took the lion’s share
Conclusion
You now have the tools to describe the complex landscape of human desire. The Idioms for Greed you’ve mastered are your new way to articulate obsession and selfishness with profound precision. These aren’t just phrases; they are a new language for revealing the unseen. Use this power to add depth and insight to every story you tell.
Danny Weber is a language enthusiast and freelance writer with a passion for unpacking the beauty of idioms and metaphors. Through years of research and creative exploration, Danny helps readers understand the deeper meanings behind familiar phrases—making figurative language feel accessible, engaging, and alive. Whether he’s decoding classic sayings or crafting new twists on old expressions, Danny’s work invites you to see language with fresh eyes.
