shoppers with deep pockets

[alpacinou]

Hello.

Can I use "deep pockets" to suggest people are in good shape in terms of purchasing power?

Is this correct and natural?

This is a great shopping mall for those shoppers with deep pockets.

 

[GoesStation]

Is this correct and natural?

This is a great shopping mall for [STRIKE]those[/STRIKE] shoppers with deep pockets.

It is now. You could also say "for those shoppers who have deep pockets", but that's in a rather formal register that most native speakers wouldn't use.

 

[Tdol]

People with short arms long/deep pockets are mean with money.

 

[PeterCW]

Hello.

Can I use "deep pockets" to suggest people are in good shape in terms of purchasing power?

Is this correct and natural?

This is a great shopping mall for those shoppers with deep pockets.

There is ambiguity as it could be interpteted as you intend or as meaning that the shoppers are reluctant to spend. I would avoid the expression.

 

[Tarheel]

I've never seen it used that way. Instead, someone with deep pockets has plenty of money to spend. Example:

Somebody who can buy an NFL franchise has deep pockets.

 

[emsr2d2]

My first thought was that the shoppers in question were stingy/thrifty/mean.

 

[Tarheel]

Is this an American English/British English difference?

 

[emsr2d2]

It seems that way. However, Tdol was right to point out that the full phrase is "short arms and deep pockets".

 

[Tarheel]

It seems that way. However, Tdol was right to point out that the full phrase is "short arms and deep pockets".

That was part of the reason for my question. That's a phrase that's unfamiliar to me.

 

[jutfrank]

My first thought was that deep pockets means plenty of money.

 

[alpacinou]

My first thought was that deep pockets means plenty of money.

What do you think about this?

Only shoppers with deep pockets can afford to buy from this store.

 

[emsr2d2]

That would avoid the potential ambiguity.