Sou
noun
A former French coin of low value.
Without a sou to my name, I had to beg for meals.
Often appears as...
- not a sou
- earn a sou
Usage tips
Historical
noun
A small amount of money.
He doesn't have a sou to his name.
Often appears as...
- not a sou
- without a sou
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
noun
A former French coin of low value.
Without a sou to my name, I had to beg for meals.
Often appears as...
- not a sou
- earn a sou
Usage tips
Historical
noun
A small amount of money.
He doesn't have a sou to his name.
Often appears as...
- not a sou
- without a sou
Usage tips
Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Currency
The 'sou' was actual money used in old France; understand it like 'dime' in the US.
That antique vase costs a thousand sous, imagine that back then!
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphor for Poverty
Saying 'without a sou' implies a person is very poor, much like 'penniless'.
After the market crash, he was left without a sou.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
Used metaphorically, 'not a sou' means no money at all, not specifically French coins.
He gambled away every last sou at the casino last night.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Currency
The 'sou' was actual money used in old France; understand it like 'dime' in the US.
That antique vase costs a thousand sous, imagine that back then!
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphor for Poverty
Saying 'without a sou' implies a person is very poor, much like 'penniless'.
After the market crash, he was left without a sou.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
Used metaphorically, 'not a sou' means no money at all, not specifically French coins.
He gambled away every last sou at the casino last night.
Pro Tip 1/3Historical Currency
The 'sou' was actual money used in old France; understand it like 'dime' in the US.
That antique vase costs a thousand sous, imagine that back then!
Pro Tip 2/3Metaphor for Poverty
Saying 'without a sou' implies a person is very poor, much like 'penniless'.
After the market crash, he was left without a sou.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
Used metaphorically, 'not a sou' means no money at all, not specifically French coins.
He gambled away every last sou at the casino last night.
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Video examples
The Case for Radically...
There are, however, a tiny handful of people who do understand and are trying to address this. Here's a few of them. In France, Sou Fujimoto has designed this amazingly textured apartment building.
Video examples
The Case for Radically...
There are, however, a tiny handful of people who do understand and are trying to address this. Here's a few of them. In France, Sou Fujimoto has designed this amazingly textured apartment building.
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
John C. Bogle
American Businessman
My grandfather was a wealthy and respected merchant in Montclair, New Jersey, where I was born. But his estate was wiped out in the Great Depression, and as a result, I had what I consider the ideal upbringing: We were a proud family, good citizens, and we didn't have a sou.
Quote examples
John C. Bogle
American Businessman
My grandfather was a wealthy and respected merchant in Montclair, New Jersey, where I was born. But his estate was wiped out in the Great Depression, and as a result, I had what I consider the ideal upbringing: We were a proud family, good citizens, and we didn't have a sou.
Example 1 of 1
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