English Idiom — Determine the best paraphrase. Sentence (corrected punctuation): In his youth, he was practically rolling in money.

Introduction / Context:
The idiom “rolling in money” (or “rolling in it”) is a vivid way to say someone is very wealthy. It appears frequently in biographies, profiles, and journalism about affluent individuals. This question asks you to identify the direct paraphrase that captures the idea of abundant wealth, not spending behavior or financial imprudence.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The time frame is “in his youth,” indicating a period of wealth.
• Idiom: rolling in money = extremely rich.
• Options mix wealth status with behaviors like spending and borrowing.

Concept / Approach:
The idiom focuses on the level of wealth, not the manner of handling it. Therefore, “Very rich” is the precise paraphrase. Options about “spending more than income,” “borrowing money,” or “wasting money” describe financial habits, which may or may not be true of rich people and are not inherent in the idiom’s meaning.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute: “he was very rich in his youth.” The statement remains clear and idiomatic in biographies and personal narratives.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Spending more than his income: Could describe debt; not implied.
• Borrowing money liberally: Opposite of being rich.
• Wasting a lot of money: A behavior, not the wealth level itself.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing idioms about status with those about habits. “Rolling in money” expresses wealth magnitude, not financial management style.

Final Answer:
Very rich