„Shopping” Idioms
In Britain, we love shopping, and so shopping idioms are very popular. Check out the idioms below. How would you say them in your language?
„(to) Shop Around”
Meaning: Before buying, check the price in different places.
- I like to shop around before buying clothes. Prices can really vary and if you shop around you might find a good deal.
„(to) Cost An Arm And A Leg”
Meaning: To be very expensive.
- Evisu jeans look great, but they cost an arm and a leg so I don’t know if I can afford them.
„A Bargain Hunter”
Meaning: A person who always looks for good prices, good value, and cheap deals.
- During the New Year Sales, shops are full of bargain hunters trying to save money.
„A Flea Market„
Meaning: A market where people sell second-hand, old, cheap, or unusual items, often from small stalls or tables. They are often held on Sunday mornings in the UK.
- Do you see this old typewriter and mirror? I bought them at a flea market last week. £5 each!
„Window Shopping”
Meaning: Browsing, looking at products but not buying anything.
- We can go to the mall, but I’m just window shopping because I haven’t been paid yet.
„A Rip-Off„
Meaning: Too expensive – Not worth it. Very negative.
- In my opinion, Apple products are a rip-off. You can get the same quality for much less.
„(to) Pay Through The Nose„
Meaning: To be forced to pay a very high price for something.
- You can buy an apartment in the city centre, but you’ll pay through the nose.
„(to) Sell Like Hot Cakes”
Meaning: To sell very quickly – A product that’s extremely popular.
- The new Dan Brown novel is selling like hot cakes. It’s going to be a bestseller for sure.
„(to) Go For A Song„
Meaning: Being sold at a great price (you need to buy it now!)
- A secondhand Lexus? Only two years old? For £5,000?! It’s going for a song. We should buy it!
„Money To Burn„
Meaning: To be very rich.
- Terry buys what he wants. He’s got money to burn.
- (A) „Tim just bought a „Vintage Play Station 1″ for £10,000.” (B) „Wow. He must have money to burn.”
„Peanuts„
Meaning: Very cheap. Costing almost „nothing”.
- 40 years ago, apartments cost peanuts. But, nowadays, they cost an arm and a leg!
„(to) Cash In„
Meaning: To take advantage of high prices.
- With apartment prices so high, I’ve decided to cash in. I’m going to sell my apartment and make a big profit.
