deep pockets
C1Informal to Neutral; common in journalism and business contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A person or organisation that has substantial financial resources or wealth.
The quality or state of having substantial financial resources, used to describe the capacity to fund large projects, withstand losses, or pay significant costs.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is almost always used idiomatically. It is a countable noun phrase ('have deep pockets', 'a company with deep pockets'). It can carry a neutral descriptive meaning but often implies a potential for exploitation (e.g., targeting someone because of their wealth) or an unfair advantage in competitive situations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. The idiom is equally understood in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more common in American business and legal journalism, but well-established in UK English.
Frequency
Moderately frequent in financial, legal, and political reporting in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Entity] has deep pockets.[Entity] with deep pockets + [verb]...It takes deep pockets to [infinitive].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Have deep pockets”
- “Pockets aren't deep enough”
- “Dip into one's deep pockets”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to companies or investors capable of major acquisitions or weathering market downturns. 'The startup was acquired by a tech giant with deep pockets.'
Academic
Rare in pure academia; appears in economics, law, or business studies texts discussing corporate finance or litigation.
Everyday
Used conversationally to talk about wealthy individuals or expensive hobbies. 'Restoring classic cars requires deep pockets.'
Technical
In legal contexts, refers to a party with significant assets, making them a target for lawsuits ('deep-pocket defendant').
Examples
By CEFR Level
- That new restaurant is very expensive. You need deep pockets to eat there.
- The charity hopes to find donors with deep pockets.
- The legal case dragged on for years, and only a client with deep pockets could afford it.
- They are looking for an investor with deep pockets to fund the expansion into Asia.
- The regulator fined the corporation a record sum, but with its deep pockets, the penalty was seen as an attempt to target their deep pockets.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a pair of trousers with pockets so deep they reach the floor, filled with coins and banknotes pouring out.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEALTH IS A DEEP CONTAINER (the pocket). More depth = more capacity to hold money.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation 'глубокие карманы' which is nonsensical. Use 'большие деньги', 'толстый кошелёк', or 'состоятельный' depending on context.
- The phrase describes the *owner*, not the pockets themselves.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as an adjective before a noun without 'with' (e.g., 'a deep pockets company' is wrong; use 'a company with deep pockets').
- Treating it as uncountable (e.g., 'he has deep pocket'). It is always plural 'pockets'.
- Confusing it with 'deep pocket' (singular), which can refer to a single, specific pocket that is physically deep.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the phrase 'deep pockets' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it can be used metaphorically for any entity with significant financial resources, including governments, e.g., 'The project requires funding beyond the local council; we need the deep pockets of central government.'
It is descriptively neutral but context-dependent. It can be positive when describing a benefactor, but often carries a negative or strategic connotation, especially in legal/business contexts where wealth is seen as a target or an unfair advantage.
The most direct opposite is 'shallow pockets' or the phrase 'his/her pockets aren't very deep,' meaning limited financial means.
It typically implies substantial and relatively enduring wealth, not a temporary windfall. For a sudden, one-time gain, phrases like 'came into money' or 'had a windfall' are more appropriate.