Indicates a company or person is losing money and facing financial stress. Our bakery has been in the red since the new grocery store opened.
Pro Tip 2/3
Not Bankruptcy
'In the red' means having debt, but not necessarily bankrupt or closed. Despite being in the red, the tech startup continued to operate.
Pro Tip 3/3
Color Imagery
Red is often associated with danger or deficits in finance, hence the expression. The ledger is full of red entries; we're in the red again this month.