Shopping is something most of us do often. Whether it’s buying groceries, picking clothes, or finding a gift, we all shop in different ways. Over time, people have come up with fun phrases to talk about shopping. These phrases are called idioms. Idioms are words that mean more than what they say. For example, if someone says they are “shop till they drop,” they don’t really mean they will fall down from shopping. They just mean they will shop a lot.
In this article, we will learn some idioms that are used when talking about shopping. These idioms can help us understand and talk about shopping in a fun and interesting way. Let’s explore them and see how people in the U.S. use these phrases in everyday life. You might even hear some of these next time you go to the mall!
Idioms About Shopping
1. Shop till you drop
Meaning: To shop for a very long time until you’re very tired.
Example Sentences:
- We shopped till we dropped at the mall yesterday.
- Mom and I shopped till we dropped during the holiday sales.
Other ways to say: Go on a shopping spree, shop endlessly
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase became popular in the 1980s through advertising slogans.
Usage: Used when someone shops for an extended period.
2. Window shopping
Meaning: Looking at items in stores without intending to buy them.
Example Sentences:
- We went window shopping at the mall after school.
- She enjoys window shopping on weekends.
Other ways to say: Browsing, just looking
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to looking through store windows at displays.
Usage: Used when someone looks at items without buying.
3. Shopping spree
Meaning: A short period of intense shopping.
Example Sentences:
- He went on a shopping spree after getting his allowance.
- They had a shopping spree during the Black Friday sales.
Other ways to say: Buying binge, shopping marathon
Fun Fact/Origin: “Spree” means a lively or carefree outing.
Usage: Used when someone buys many items in a short time.
4. Shop around
Meaning: To compare prices and quality before buying.
Example Sentences:
- It’s smart to shop around before buying a new bike.
- She shopped around to find the best deal on sneakers.
Other ways to say: Compare prices, look for deals
Fun Fact/Origin: Encourages consumers to seek the best value.
Usage: Used when someone compares options before purchasing.
5. Sold out
Meaning: When all items are sold and none are left.
Example Sentences:
- The concert tickets were sold out in an hour.
- The new video game was sold out at every store.
Other ways to say: Out of stock, unavailable
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in retail to indicate no more inventory.
Usage: Used when an item is no longer available for purchase.
6. Pay through the nose
Meaning: To pay a very high price for something.
Example Sentences:
- We paid through the nose for those concert tickets.
- She paid through the nose for that designer handbag.
Other ways to say: Overpay, spend a fortune
Fun Fact/Origin: Possibly from a tax imposed by the Danes in Ireland.
Usage: Used when someone pays more than expected.
7. Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: Something is very expensive.
Example Sentences:
- That new phone costs an arm and a leg.
- The dress she wants costs an arm and a leg.
Other ways to say: Very pricey, extremely expensive
Fun Fact/Origin: Dates back to the 18th century, emphasizing high cost.
Usage: Used to describe something with a high price tag.
8. Break the bank
Meaning: To spend more money than one can afford.
Example Sentences:
- Buying that car will break the bank.
- They broke the bank on their vacation.
Other ways to say: Overspend, go over budget
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to gambling, where the bank is the house’s funds.
Usage: Used when someone spends too much money.
9. Get a good deal
Meaning: To buy something at a favorable price.
Example Sentences:
- I got a good deal on these shoes.
- She got a good deal on her new laptop.
Other ways to say: Bargain, great price
Fun Fact/Origin: “Deal” refers to an agreement between buyer and seller.
Usage: Used when someone purchases something at a lower price.
10. Haggle over the price
Meaning: To negotiate the price of an item.
Example Sentences:
- He haggled over the price at the flea market.
- They haggled over the price of the used car.
Other ways to say: Bargain, negotiate
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in markets where prices aren’t fixed.
Usage: Used when discussing price negotiations.
11. In the market for something
Meaning: Interested in buying a particular item.
Example Sentences:
- I’m in the market for a new backpack.
- She’s in the market for a used car.
Other ways to say: Looking to buy, shopping for
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to being a potential buyer in the marketplace.
Usage: Used when someone is considering a purchase.
12. Off the shelf
Meaning: Available for immediate purchase.
Example Sentences:
- This software is ready off the shelf.
- They bought an off-the-shelf solution for their needs.
Other ways to say: Ready-made, pre-made
Fun Fact/Origin: Items taken directly from store shelves without customization.
Usage: Used when something is readily available.
13. Pick up a bargain
Meaning: To buy something at a lower price than usual.
Example Sentences:
- I picked up a bargain at the clearance sale.
- She picked up a bargain on those jeans.
Other ways to say: Snag a deal, get a steal
Fun Fact/Origin: “Bargain” comes from an old French word meaning “agreement.”
Usage: Used when someone buys something at a discounted price.
14. Splash out
Meaning: To spend money freely, especially on luxury items.
Example Sentences:
- They splashed out on a fancy dinner.
- He splashed out on a new gaming console.
Other ways to say: Indulge, treat oneself
Fun Fact/Origin: British origin, meaning to spend extravagantly.
Usage: Used when someone spends a lot on something special.
15. Cut one’s losses
Meaning: To stop an activity that is unprofitable to prevent further loss.
Example Sentences:
- They cut their losses and sold the store.
- She cut her losses and returned the dress.
Other ways to say: Quit while ahead, stop the bleeding
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in business and investing contexts.
Usage: Used when deciding to stop a losing venture.
16. Bargain hunting
Meaning: Looking for items at the lowest possible prices.
Example Sentences:
- We went bargain hunting at the outlet mall.
- She’s always bargain hunting for clothes.
Other ways to say: Deal seeking, discount shopping
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular during sales events like Black Friday.
Usage: Used when someone actively looks for deals.
17. One-stop shop
Meaning: A place where you can buy everything you need.
Example Sentences:
- Walmart is a one-stop shop for groceries and clothes.
- This website is a one-stop shop for school supplies.
Other ways to say: All-in-one store, comprehensive store
Fun Fact/Origin: Businesses use this term to attract customers seeking convenience.
Usage: Used to describe a store offering a wide range of products.
18. Buy a lemon
Meaning: To purchase something that is defective or unsatisfactory.
Example Sentences:
- That used car was a lemon.
- He bought a lemon and had to return it.
Other ways to say: Bad buy, dud
Fun Fact/Origin: “Lemon” has been slang for a defective item since the early 20th century.
Usage: Used when someone buys a faulty product.
19. Cash on the barrelhead
Meaning: To pay immediately in cash.
Example Sentences:
- The seller wanted cash on the barrelhead.
- They paid cash on the barrelhead for the furniture.
Other ways to say: Pay upfront, immediate payment
Fun Fact/Origin: Originates from the practice of placing cash on a barrel as a counter.
Usage: Used when payment is made instantly.
20. Retail therapy
Meaning: Shopping to improve one’s mood.
Example Sentences:
- She indulged in retail therapy after a tough week.
- Retail therapy cheered him up.
Other ways to say: Shopping to feel better, mood shopping
Fun Fact/Origin: Coined in the 1980s, highlighting shopping’s emotional impact.
Usage: Used when shopping is done to boost happiness.
21. Buyer’s remorse
Meaning: Feeling regret after making a purchase.
Example Sentences:
- He had buyer’s remorse after spending so much on shoes.
- She felt buyer’s remorse after buying that expensive jacket.
Other ways to say: Regret a purchase, second thoughts
Fun Fact/Origin: Popularized in the 1970s as consumer choices expanded.
Usage: Used when someone feels unhappy after buying something.
22. On sale
Meaning: Selling at a lower price than usual.
Example Sentences:
- These backpacks are on sale today.
- I got this jacket on sale last weekend.
Other ways to say: Discounted, marked down
Fun Fact/Origin: A sale attracts more shoppers by offering lower prices.
Usage: Used to describe discounted items.
23. Shopaholic
Meaning: A person who loves shopping too much.
Example Sentences:
- She’s a shopaholic and visits the mall every weekend.
- My cousin is a real shopaholic.
Other ways to say: Shopping addict, compulsive shopper
Fun Fact/Origin: A mix of “shopper” and “alcoholic” to show extreme habit.
Usage: Used to describe someone who shops very often.
24. Buy in bulk
Meaning: To buy large amounts at once, usually to save money.
Example Sentences:
- We bought snacks in bulk for the party.
- It’s cheaper to buy in bulk at the warehouse store.
Other ways to say: Buy a lot, stock up
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in wholesale or big-box stores.
Usage: Used when someone buys a large quantity.
25. Run up a bill
Meaning: To spend so much that the amount owed becomes large.
Example Sentences:
- They ran up a bill at the electronics store.
- She ran up a big bill during her online shopping.
Other ways to say: Spend a lot, rack up charges
Fun Fact/Origin: “Run up” means to increase something quickly.
Usage: Used when spending becomes excessive.
26. On a shoestring budget
Meaning: Spending very little money.
Example Sentences:
- They planned the trip on a shoestring budget.
- We decorated the party room on a shoestring.
Other ways to say: Very low budget, with little money
Fun Fact/Origin: From the idea of living on something as thin as a shoestring.
Usage: Used when someone spends very little.
27. Make a killing
Meaning: To earn a lot of money quickly.
Example Sentences:
- He made a killing selling sneakers online.
- They made a killing during the holiday sales.
Other ways to say: Earn big, get rich quick
Fun Fact/Origin: First used in the 1800s to describe fast profits.
Usage: Used when someone gains a lot of money fast.
28. Pay off
Meaning: To finish paying for something.
Example Sentences:
- I finally paid off my new bike.
- They worked hard to pay off their school supplies.
Other ways to say: Settle a bill, clear a debt
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used with loans or big purchases.
Usage: Used when a payment is fully completed.
29. Buy off
Meaning: To give someone money to stop them from complaining or doing something.
Example Sentences:
- He tried to buy off the manager for a better deal.
- She bought off her brother with candy to keep a secret.
Other ways to say: Bribe, pay to please
Fun Fact/Origin: “Off” implies getting rid of a problem with money.
Usage: Used when someone uses money to avoid trouble.
30. Buy into something
Meaning: To believe in or support an idea.
Example Sentences:
- She bought into the ad and ordered the product.
- He bought into the idea that the shoes were magical.
Other ways to say: Believe, accept
Fun Fact/Origin: Came from business, meaning to invest in a plan.
Usage: Used when someone agrees with or accepts a belief or idea.
31. Sell like hotcakes
Meaning: To sell very quickly.
Example Sentences:
- The new toys are selling like hotcakes.
- These sneakers sold like hotcakes during the launch.
Other ways to say: Fly off the shelves, sell fast
Fun Fact/Origin: Hotcakes used to sell quickly at fairs.
Usage: Used when something is very popular.
32. Rip-off
Meaning: Something too expensive for what it’s worth.
Example Sentences:
- That t-shirt is a rip-off.
- The price at that shop is a total rip-off.
Other ways to say: Overpriced, not worth it
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular slang from the 1970s.
Usage: Used to describe something that is not a good deal.
33. Throw money down the drain
Meaning: To waste money.
Example Sentences:
- Buying that gadget was throwing money down the drain.
- She threw money down the drain on that fake purse.
Other ways to say: Waste money, spend foolishly
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests the image of water (money) going nowhere.
Usage: Used when someone spends money with no good result.
34. Jack up the prices
Meaning: To raise prices suddenly and a lot.
Example Sentences:
- They jacked up the prices before the concert.
- Gas stations jack up prices during holidays.
Other ways to say: Raise prices, increase cost
Fun Fact/Origin: “Jack up” refers to lifting, like using a car jack.
Usage: Used when prices rise suddenly.
35. Burn a hole in your pocket
Meaning: Money that you want to spend quickly.
Example Sentences:
- His birthday money is burning a hole in his pocket.
- That gift card is burning a hole in her pocket.
Other ways to say: Eager to spend, hard to save
Fun Fact/Origin: Describes the urge to spend as a “burning” feeling.
Usage: Used when someone wants to spend money fast.
36. Buy time
Meaning: To delay something to get more time.
Example Sentences:
- She bought time by asking questions.
- He bought time before choosing a video game.
Other ways to say: Delay, stall
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of trading money or action for more time.
Usage: Used when someone delays something on purpose.
37. Pick up the tab
Meaning: To pay for something, usually for others.
Example Sentences:
- Dad picked up the tab at dinner.
- She picked up the tab for our snacks.
Other ways to say: Pay the bill, cover the cost
Fun Fact/Origin: “Tab” means a record of a charge at a restaurant.
Usage: Used when someone pays for others.
38. Shell out
Meaning: To spend money, often when you don’t want to.
Example Sentences:
- I had to shell out for school supplies.
- They shelled out for concert tickets.
Other ways to say: Pay up, cough up
Fun Fact/Origin: “Shell” means to take something out, like money from your wallet.
Usage: Used when someone spends money, sometimes unwillingly.
39. Money talks
Meaning: Money can influence decisions.
Example Sentences:
- They got front-row seats because of money talks.
- He got in first because money talks.
Other ways to say: Money has power, cash matters
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests that money has a louder voice than words.
Usage: Used when money changes the outcome.
40. In the red
Meaning: Owing money; not making a profit.
Example Sentences:
- After shopping too much, I’m in the red.
- That store is in the red this month.
Other ways to say: In debt, losing money
Fun Fact/Origin: Red ink used to show losses in bookkeeping.
Usage: Used when someone or a business owes money.
41. In the black
Meaning: Making a profit.
Example Sentences:
- Our lemonade stand is finally in the black!
- The shop was in the black after holiday sales.
Other ways to say: Making money, not in debt
Fun Fact/Origin: Black ink used to show profit.
Usage: Used when someone or a business is making money.
42. Clearance sale
Meaning: A sale to get rid of all items quickly.
Example Sentences:
- I got this toy at the clearance sale.
- Stores have clearance sales after holidays.
Other ways to say: Final sale, markdown
Fun Fact/Origin: Used to make room for new items.
Usage: Used when items are sold at very low prices.
43. Marked down
Meaning: Reduced in price.
Example Sentences:
- That backpack is marked down to $10.
- These jeans were marked down yesterday.
Other ways to say: Discounted, on sale
Fun Fact/Origin: Store tags show prices with marks or changes.
Usage: Used when prices are lowered.
44. Shopping around
Meaning: To look at different places before buying.
Example Sentences:
- She’s shopping around for a new tablet.
- We’re shopping around before choosing a gift.
Other ways to say: Comparing prices, browsing
Fun Fact/Origin: Encourages smart spending by comparing.
Usage: Used when looking for the best option.
45. Add to cart
Meaning: To select an item to buy online.
Example Sentences:
- I added the book to my cart but didn’t buy it.
- She added three shirts to her cart.
Other ways to say: Select to buy, save for checkout
Fun Fact/Origin: From online shopping websites like Amazon.
Usage: Used when choosing things to buy online.
Quiz: Idioms About Shopping
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does “shop till you drop” mean?
A) Drop your shopping bags
B) Shop until you’re very tired
C) Shop for a short time
2. If someone is “window shopping,” what are they doing?
A) Cleaning windows
B) Looking at items without buying
C) Buying expensive things
3. What does “cost an arm and a leg” mean?
A) Very expensive
B) Very cheap
C) Free with a coupon
4. What does “bargain hunting” mean?
A) Looking for animals
B) Looking for things on sale
C) Shopping very fast
5. If something is “sold out,” what does that mean?
A) It’s too big
B) It’s no longer available
C) It’s brand new
6. What does “rip-off” mean?
A) A fun deal
B) A game at the mall
C) Something that costs too much
7. What does it mean if someone “bought a lemon”?
A) They bought fruit
B) They bought something that doesn’t work well
C) They got a free gift
8. What is “retail therapy”?
A) Shopping to feel better
B) Talking to a doctor
C) Going to school
9. If someone “throws money down the drain,” what are they doing?
A) Saving money
B) Wasting money
C) Buying a drain
10. What does “in the red” mean?
A) Wearing red clothes
B) Having lots of money
C) Owing money
11. If someone “picks up the tab,” what are they doing?
A) Picking up a tablet
B) Paying for the bill
C) Writing a note
12. What does it mean to “shop around”?
A) Walk in circles while shopping
B) Compare prices at different stores
C) Spin while holding a shopping bag
13. If you say something is “marked down,” what do you mean?
A) It’s more expensive
B) It’s broken
C) It has a lower price
14. What does “burning a hole in your pocket” mean?
A) Your pants are on fire
B) You want to spend money right away
C) You lost your wallet
15. What does “buy in bulk” mean?
A) Buy one item only
B) Buy a lot of items at once
C) Buy things in a basket
Answer Key
- B) Shop until you’re very tired
- B) Looking at items without buying
- A) Very expensive
- B) Looking for things on sale
- B) It’s no longer available
- C) Something that costs too much
- B) They bought something that doesn’t work well
- A) Shopping to feel better
- B) Wasting money
- C) Owing money
- B) Paying for the bill
- B) Compare prices at different stores
- C) It has a lower price
- B) You want to spend money right away
- B) Buy a lot of items at once
Wrapping Up
Shopping idioms help us talk about money, spending, and buying in fun ways. These sayings make conversations more interesting and help us explain what we mean more clearly. Now that you’ve learned these, try using them the next time you’re at a store or talking about shopping with friends.
Whether you love shopping or not, these idioms are great to know. They show how people think and talk about buying things every day. Keep an ear out—you might hear one of these phrases the next time you visit a mall!
