in the red

Preview（腕試し）

Jorge: Our company has been in the red for three straight quarters. Do you think we will get our summer bonus?

Jose: No, I'm almost sure we won't get one this year.

Jose and Jorge's company has been:

A. making a lot of money

B. losing money

C. painting its buildings red

　

Explanation（説明）

This idiom means that a company is losing money.

When a company has been operating in the red for more than a few months, it is a sure sign that the company will go under (go bankrupt).　

　

Exercises （練習）

Choose the best answer.

1. Can you guess the opposite of "in the red"?

A. in the orange

B. in the yellow

C. in the black

---

2. Oliver's company was losing money last year but is making money this year.

A. Oliver's company was in the red but is now in the black.

B. Oliver's company was in the black but is now in the red.

C. Oliver's boss was happy last year but now she is sad.