champagne taste on a beer budget

plural champagne tastes on a beer budget · plural champagne tastes on beer budgets

1. idiomaticExpensive desires or preferences which one lacks the finances to fulfill satisfactorily.

   The fact is the school system has spent itself into debt, at least partly by exhibiting a champagne taste on a beer budget.

   1994 September 12, “Editorial: School board has used up taxes, excuses”, in Kentucky New Era, USA, retrieved 26 Jul 2011, page 4A

   2 more examples

   The traveller who expects to satisfy a champagne taste on a beer budget in this food-conscious city may be in for a disappointment.

   1970 May 2, “SP Travel: Parisians enjoy eating-out but it becomes costly”, in Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, Canada, retrieved 26 Jul 2011, page 8

   We would all like to live in a palatial estate with a dozen bedrooms and as many bathrooms. Having champagne taste on a beer budget is nothing new. However, be realistic.

   2002, Robert Irwin, How to Buy a Home When You Can't Afford It, →ISBN, page 22

   Synonyms: champagne taste on a beer billfold, champagne taste on a beer pocketbook, champagne taste on a beer salary, champagne taste on a beer wallet