Reader question:

Glen spent a small fortune on a tour round the world.

Could you explain “a small fortune”?

A small fortune is a colloquialism for “a lot of money.” Glen spent a lot of money travelling around the world.

“Fortune” often refers to what one inherits from one’s rich parents when they are dead, meaning very large sums of money (plus properties). Hence, fortune means a lot of money.

This camera costs a fortune, or small fortune – it means this camera is very expensive, usually more expensive than usual.

In the original example, when Glen is said to have spent a small fortune on a tour round the world, it is implied that he spent a lot of money on an expensive tour, one that most people may have found too costly to take.

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About the author:

Zhang Xin has been with China Daily since 1988, when he graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University. Write him at: zhangxin@chinadaily.com.cn, or raise a question for potential use in?a future column.