T-learning # Idiom
Speak Like a Native

to be minted

Choose the correct definition a, b or c.

a) to be fresh

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b) to be drunk

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c) to be rich

Well done ! That’s the right answer.

If someone is minted , it means they are extremely wealthy.

French translation

être riche comme Crésus, richissime, blindé de tunes

How NOT to translate : *être à la menthe

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Examples in context

‘Putin’s ’surrender ultimatum’ to Ukraine, the Oscars and Oscar Pistorius trial

Will Englund, writing in the Independent, says the situation has "brought back memories of 2008, when Russia went to war with Georgia over a break-away territory". And Georgia’s president at the time, Mikheil Saakashvili shares that "sense of deja vu" in the Financial Times, saying : "First, Russian passports were handed out. Then came the agitators, stirring up trouble. Finally, Russian soldiers arrive to ’protect’ these newly minted citizens".’

BBC World News, 4 March 2014

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‘Butlers from Britain sought by Russia and China super-rich

The modern butler may double as house manager, personal assistant, valet, chef, bodyguard, and a number of other positions in a household.
Sara Vestin Rahmani, director of the recruitment agency Bespoke Bureau, said : "It is the accent - Queen’s English - the etiquette and status of the British butler and his style that they are buying into."
She said demand outstripped supply and the bureau had opened six butler schools in China in 2012. And in an era of newly minted billionaires the financial rewards can be huge.
Wiesner said salaries could "skyrocket" above £100,000. "I’ve heard of Arab countries paying three, four, ten times that".’

BBC News UK, 24 Dec 2013

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Everyday usage

They are absolutely minted. They must have won the lottery recently !

Have you see his new car ? I suspect he is minted.


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