Definition
A means of generating a large income with little effort.
Origins
Often attributed to Lew Grade, and notably used by Roy Thompson of Scottish Television around 1956.
In Context
- "Owning a machine tool plant, it was said, was almost as good as a license to print money."
- "the rather casual remark of Lord Thomson, referring to his holding in Scottish Television, that the television contract was 'a licence to print money' was much quoted"
- "More competition means ITV's glory days are long gone - and the new company's bosses know they will have to fight hard to regain the old licence to print money."