money talks

19th century, from earlier forms such as gold speaks (1666, in full, “Man prates, but gold speaks.”), as translation from Italian by Giovanni Torriano, in Piazza Universale di Proverbi Italiani: or, A Common Place of Italian Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases, 179.[1]

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈmʌn.i tɔːks/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈmʌn.i tɔks/

money talks

1. It is easier to accomplish goals using money instead of just talk.

Here talk is used metaphorically to means “has actual effect, shows seriousness”, as in similar actions speak louder than words. Contrast with sense “empty words, without impact”, as in talk is cheap and talk the talk.

• money talks, bullshit walks

• almighty dollar
• actions speak louder than words
• talk is cheap
• talk the talk