ver a cor do dinheiro

Portuguese

Etymology

Literally, “to see the color of the money”

Verb

ver a cor do dinheiro (first-person singular present vejo a cor do dinheiro, first-person singular preterite vi a cor do dinheiro, past participle visto a cor do dinheiro)

1. (idiomatic, chiefly in the negative) to receive money that is owed from someone else

   Trabalhei três meses para ele mas nunca vi a cor do dinheiro.

   I've worked three months for him but I've never received the money.

   (literally, “I've worked three months for him but I've never seen the color or the money.”)