or stoney, stony-broke, adj. phr. (common).Penniless; HARD-UP (q.v.); PEBBLE-BEACHED (q.v.).
1891. LEHMANN, Harry Fludyer at Cambridge, 122. Pat said he was STONEY or BROKE or something but he gave me a sov., which was ripping of him.
1897. MARSHALL, Pomes, 106. Full of fixes, assets nixes, STONEY-BROKE, and hence these tears. Ibid., 120. On his right a STONEY-BROKE-ER In bad financial health.
1899. R. WHITEING, No. 5 John Street, xxviii. Youre a toff, STONE-BROKEthats what you are.
1901. W. S. WALKER, In the Blood, 159. Twont be a bad lay fer us when were STONEY BROKE down ere.