soft currency —(also: weak currency) a currency unstable in value in the international money market:
- A soft currency is by definition, non-convertible—that is, cannot be converted into gold or dollars.
soft money—
1. (also: folding money) paper money (as contrasted with coins):
- The animated screen saver shows all money of EURO, both a soft money and coins.
2. money which is plentiful and therefore available at low interest rates and long payback:
- Local supporters of soft money were weak, and Slovenia immediately implemented a tight-money policy upon independence.
3. research money obtained from grants, contracts, etc.:
- Scientists who have depended on soft money are now beginning to worry. …they are starting to be concerned about where the next money is coming from.
4. (U.S.) political donations made in such a way as to avoid federal regulations:
- Only Connecticut has a law that prevents the parties from flooding its elections with soft money donations.
Note: The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with the phrase easy money—
1. money obtained without effort and often illegally:
- I guess it’s easy money too from the way he lets go of it.
2. = soft money 2:
- Easy money comes with low interest rates. Hard money is just the opposite, wherein it is very difficult to borrow money and expand.
See also: hard line money / hard money.