You cant take it with you

You can't take it with you

Meaning

Suggestion that you should spend money and live life now as it will be no use to you after you die.

Examples

Grandma saved all her life but lived on a pittance. No one told her that you can’t take it with you.

Where did it originate?

Britain, 1930s – deriving from several similar idioms dating from the early 19th century onward.

Where is it used?

Worldwide.

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About the Author

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

You cant take it with you