in the red

*in the red

Fig. losing money. (*Typically: be \in the red; go [into] \in the red; as opposed to in the black.) •

State government has been operating in the red for five straight years.

•

What with all those car repairs, we're going to be in the red this month.

* * *

{adv.} or {adj. phr.}, {informal} In an unprofitable way; so as to lose money. * /A large number of American radio stations operate in the red./ * /A rich man who has a farm or ranch often runs it in the red, but makes his money with his factory or business./ Contrast: IN THE BLACK. (From the fact that people who keep business records usually write in red ink how much money they lose and in black ink how much money they gain.)