First Known Use: 1926
Dictionary
red ink
noun
—used to describe a situation in which a business, organization, etc., is spending more money than it is earning and has a lot of debt
Full Definition of RED INK
1
: a business loss : deficit
2
: the condition of showing a business loss
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Origin of RED INK
from the use of red ink in financial statements to indicate a loss
Rhymes with RED INK
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