General
in the black
What does in the black mean?
Earning more than is spent; financially profitable.
"We finally moved into the black last quarter."
Origin
From black ink used for positive figures in ledgers.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'in the black' mean?
It means earning more than you spend, i.e. being profitable. The opposite is 'in the red'.
Where does 'in the black' come from?
From accounting ledgers where positive, profitable figures were written in black ink.
How do you use 'in the black'?
To describe a business or account that's profitable, e.g. 'the company finally moved into the black'.
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