Should you ever lend money to a close friend, or does that put the friendship at risk?

A natural way to answer

I think it depends entirely on the friendship and the sums involved. A small, well-meant loan rarely does any harm, but once the amounts grow, the imbalance can quietly take its toll and turn an equal friendship into something that feels lopsided.

Key phrases to use

• sticky — difficult, awkward, or hard to deal with“Lending money can get a bit sticky.”
• drive a wedge between — to cause two people to become less close or to fall out“Don't let money drive a wedge between you.”
• take its toll — to cause gradual harm or damage over time“The constant tension took its toll on their friendship.”
• lopsided — unequal or unbalanced, with one side carrying more than the other“The friendship started to feel lopsided.”
• souring — gradually spoiling a good relationship and making it unpleasant“Resentment was slowly souring their friendship.”
• poisoning the well — to do something that permanently spoils a relationship or situation for the future“One bad loan can end up poisoning the well.”