Money talks means that money gets you what you want: wealth gives people power and influence. People say it when wealth has given someone an advantage: a table without a booking, a place on the team, the decision they wanted. The tone is usually ironic or disapproving.
When would you say money talks?
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money talks; in + place/business, money talks; money talks, as they say
- He had no experience, but his father paid for the whole project. Money talks.
- The rich family got the best table without booking. Money talks, as they say.
- In football, money talks: the richest clubs simply buy the best players.
What changed
First versionIn this city, money speaks.
RevisionIn this city, money talks.
Speaks may look like a fine synonym, but the saying only works with talks: money “talks” on its owner's behalf and makes decisions for them. With speaks, a native speaker won't recognise the saying. Only the verb was changed.
If you swap the words around, the meaning changes: let's talk money means “let's discuss money”, that is, the price or the salary: Before I agree, let's talk money. It's a neutral business phrase without the cynicism of the saying. In an essay, write wealth gives people influence instead of money talks.
Your turn
The company with the biggest budget won the contract again. Money ___, as they say.
Show the answer
talks — The company with the biggest budget won again, which is exactly a case where money decides things: Money talks. Speaks is never used in this saying, even though it can look like a natural choice.
Describe a time when money gave someone an advantage. Say who got it and what the advantage was.
My cousin's band played at the festival only because his uncle sponsored it. Money talks.
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