Idiom or phrase to describe a short-lived reward
Are there any idioms or phrases to describe a short-lived reward
For example, in a gang robbery incident where the robbers robbed a million, but three days later, all of them were caught with the million, which they did even spent.
Solution 1:
A common expression is the extragrammatical but transparent idiom, Easy come, easy go.
easy come, easy go [informal]
said when something, especially money, is easily gotten and then soon spent or lost
[Cambridge Dictionary]
A: I lost the fifty dollars I won at the casino really quickly.
B: Well, easy come, easy go.
[LanguageCouncils.sg]
(The idiom is also often used of the character of someone content to live in the way implied.)
......................
Another, slightly less transparent metaphor is Riches have wings / Money has wings.
Riches have wings:
... Money can disappear easily. Money is like a bird with wings: it can fly away if you are not careful.
[EnglishClub]
The source of this metaphor / adage is the Bible:
Proverbs 23:5 New International Version; BibleHub.com
- Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
.................
And there are various translations of Proverbs 13:11 [again, BibleHub]
- The more easily you get your wealth, the sooner you will lose it. The harder it is to earn, the more you will have. [Good News Translation]
- Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase. [New King James Version]
- Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. [English Standard Version]
- Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time. [New Living Translation]
Pick whichever version best fits your purpose; preachers do.
Solution 2:
I offer this idiom from Farlex
here today, (and) gone tomorrow
Said of something that is short-lived.
I can't believe I've already spent the money I got for my birthday.