fat city
C2Informal, somewhat dated slang.
Definition
Meaning
A state of prosperity, comfort, or success.
A condition of easy living and financial security; a figurative place or state characterized by abundance and satisfaction.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The phrase is metaphorical, not describing an actual place. It implies more than just wealth—it suggests a relaxed, worry-free lifestyle enabled by that prosperity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily an Americanism, though understood in the UK. British speakers might use alternatives like 'on easy street' or 'in clover'.
Connotations
Both varieties perceive it as informal and slightly dated (peak usage 1960s-1980s). In the US, it can carry a connotation of smug or conspicuous comfort.
Frequency
Rare in modern UK English. Low-to-mid frequency in US English, primarily in nostalgic or ironic contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + be/live in + fat city.After [event], [subject] was in fat city.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “live in fat city”
- “be in fat city”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly used anecdotally: 'After the merger, the company was in fat city.'
Academic
Virtually never used.
Everyday
Informal conversation, often humorous or self-deprecating: 'Ever since I paid off my student loans, I've been living in fat city.'
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- After winning the lottery, he found himself in fat city, at least for a while.
American English
- Ever since that promotion, she's been living in fat city.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- They were in fat city after their business became successful.
- Having sold his startup, Mark retired early and is now firmly in fat city.
- The economic policies of the era promised fat city for the middle class, but the reality fell far short for many.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a cartoon city where everything is plump, plentiful, and easy—that's 'fat city'.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROSPERITY IS A PLACE/STATE (e.g., on easy street, in the money).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'жирный город'—this is nonsense. The phrase is entirely idiomatic. Use 'жить припеваючи' or 'в шоколаде' for a similar informal sense.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to describe a real, physically large city (e.g., 'Los Angeles is a fat city').
- Using it in formal writing.
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'fat city' express?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is purely a metaphorical idiom describing a state of being.
It is considered somewhat dated slang but is still understood and used, often for a humorous or nostalgic effect.
No, it is strictly informal and would be inappropriate in academic, business, or formal reports.
They are very close synonyms. 'Fat city' is more distinctly American and slightly more dated, while 'on easy street' is common in both UK and US English.