Noun
/luːs ˈsɪlvər/
"Loose silver" refers generally to coins or pieces of silver currency that are not in a wallet, bag, or container, meaning they are free, unallocated, or scattered. It can also imply small change, particularly coins, which may be kept in pockets or accumulated over time. The phrase is used in discussions around currency, finances, and often in casual contexts when discussing money handling.
The term "loose silver" is not extremely common in everyday conversation but may appear occasionally in discussions about money, particularly among collectors or in historical contexts. It is more often encountered in written contexts when discussing finance or numismatics (the study or collection of currency).
I found some loose silver in my drawer while cleaning it out.
(Encontré algo de plata suelta en mi cajón mientras lo limpiaba.)
He keeps all his loose silver in a piggy bank for emergencies.
(Él guarda toda su plata suelta en una alcancía para emergencias.)
The old man was known for his loose silver, often giving away coins to children in the neighborhood.
(El anciano era conocido por su plata suelta, a menudo regalando monedas a los niños del vecindario.)
While "loose silver" itself may not form a wide array of idiomatic expressions, the concept of "loose change" is commonly associated with money contexts. Additionally, various phrases may relate to the notion of holding, losing, or spending coins.
Having some loose change can really help when you're trying to buy snacks at the convenience store.
(Tener algo de cambio suelto puede ayudar mucho cuando intentas comprar bocadillos en la tienda de conveniencia.)
She decided to cash in her loose change to save up for a new phone.
(Decidió convertir su cambio suelto en dinero para ahorrar para un nuevo teléfono.)
He always has a pocket full of loose coins to give to charity when he sees a collection bin.
(Él siempre tiene un bolsillo lleno de monedas sueltas para donar a la caridad cuando ve una caja de recolección.)
Don't worry about the loose pennies on the floor; they are just a bit of extra coinage.
(No te preocupes por los centavos sueltos en el suelo; solo son un poco de moneda extra.)
The word "loose" comes from the Old English "lōs," meaning "not solidly fixed in place." "Silver," derived from the Old English "seolfor," has roots that trace back to Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European languages, signifying wealth and value attributed to the precious metal.