I saw the lines from TV as below:
I can’t go to my brother again. I’m afraid the well is dry. You’ll have to manage on your own.
Question: Do you really say “the well is dry” to mean “have no money”?
Thank you!!!
That is a colloqial phrase that is sometimes heard. I don’t think that I’ve ever used it.
1 Like
The brother may or may not have more money (probably still has a fair amount). Usually it means someone has asked the same person too many times for money or favors and the one giving those is no longer willing to help.
1 Like
This is totally new for me as well!!! I’ve never had heard this Expression!! 
1 Like
It means a supply or resource has been exhausted. If in this drama, a person was asking for money, then yes, it means there is no money. You can also use it like this… “She cannot write any more books; the well’s run dry” to mean that she has exhausted her ideas or creativity to write more stories. I hope this helps!
“The well is dry” is a known expression to mean a valuable resource has run out. It doesn’t have to refer to money. It could also refer to a lack of inspiration or motivation. “I went looking for inspiration, but the well was dry”
There’s also derived idioms such as the Natalia Imbruglia song “Torn”
" There’s nothin’ where he used to lie
Our conversation has run dry "
There’s no mention of a well there, but “has run dry” comes from that expression.
It’s not often used in spoken speech though. It would definitely sound weird if a non native speaker used it in conversation.
1 Like
Thank you so much, ChrissyC. It helps a lot!!!
Interesting. The well is dry to me means “the relationship has burned out”.
My pleasure! It was more popular in the 1700’s to the 1900’s. I can see by the actor’s clothing that it is more of the 1880-1900’s fashion?
Yes, you are right. You are observant.
That’s from the series called “Genius: Einstein”.
The woman who is talking is Einstein’s mother.
Thank you so much for the more information, miscology.
I enjoyed listening to the song, by the way.