As poor as a church mouse

Meaning

Describes someone with almost no money.

Usage

Used to emphasize a complete lack of funds.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Church mice had nothing to eat in old parishes, making them symbols of poverty.

Appeared in English proverbs during the 18th century and remains common.