Sometimes, people want to talk about something that doesn’t cost a lot of money. Instead of saying “cheap” or “low-cost” all the time, they use fun and creative expressions. These special sayings are called idioms. Idioms are phrases that mean something different from the words used. They make conversations more interesting and easy to understand.
In this article, you will learn idioms that people use when they talk about affordable things. These phrases are common in the United States and are easy to use in daily life. Each idiom will come with a short meaning and examples to help you see how it works. If you learn these idioms, you can describe prices and costs in fun and useful ways. Let’s get started!
Idioms for Affordable
1. On a shoestring budget
Meaning: To manage with very little money.
For Example: We went on vacation with just a shoestring budget, so we stayed in a small motel and cooked our meals.
Alternatively: He bought a car on a shoestring budget, opting for a used one instead of a new model.
2. Break the bank
Meaning: To spend a lot of money or more than one can afford.
For Example: Buying the latest smartphone broke the bank, and now I’m tight on cash.
Alternatively: She wanted to throw a big party, but she didn’t want it to break the bank.
3. Dirt cheap
Meaning: Very inexpensive, almost unbelievably low in price.
For Example: I got these shoes for dirt cheap during the end-of-season sale.
Alternatively: The books at the yard sale were dirt cheap, so I bought a whole box.
4. Cut-rate
Meaning: Lower in price than usual or expected.
For Example: He bought a cut-rate laptop that was still pretty good for the price.
Alternatively: We had to choose a cut-rate hotel for our stay because we were on a budget.
5. A steal
Meaning: A very good deal or bargain.
For Example: The tickets to the concert were a steal only $5 each!
Alternatively: That coat was a steal at 70% off its original price.
6. Inexpensive
Meaning: Not costing much money.
For Example: We found an inexpensive restaurant that served delicious food.
Alternatively: The hotel was nice and inexpensive, so we stayed there for the weekend.
7. A bargain
Meaning: A good deal or purchase for a lower price than expected.
For Example: That jacket was a real bargain, only $15!
Alternatively: I got this book on sale, and it was a bargain.
8. Cheap as chips
Meaning: Very inexpensive or low-priced.
For Example: Those movie tickets were cheap as chips, so we decided to go twice.
Alternatively: I bought these pencils cheap as chips at the dollar store.
9. Wallet-friendly
Meaning: Not expensive, easy on the budget.
For Example: The new movie is wallet-friendly, only costing $8 per ticket.
Alternatively: This restaurant offers wallet-friendly meals that everyone can afford.
10. On the cheap
Meaning: Done or bought at a low cost.
For Example: They managed to furnish their apartment on the cheap, buying second-hand items.
Alternatively: We went on a trip on the cheap by camping instead of staying in hotels.
11. Knockdown price
Meaning: A very reduced price.
For Example: I got this laptop at a knockdown price because of the store’s big sale.
Alternatively: The old furniture was sold at a knockdown price during the estate sale.
12. Pocket change
Meaning: A small amount of money, often considered very affordable.
For Example: The candy was only pocket change, so I bought a whole bag.
Alternatively: She found a nice coffee shop where the drinks were only pocket change.
13. At a discount
Meaning: Sold at a reduced price.
For Example: The shoes were available at a discount because it was the end of the season.
Alternatively: I purchased the sweater at a discount during the holiday sales.
14. Cut-price
Meaning: A price that has been reduced.
For Example: The cut-price items at the market were a great deal for the shoppers.
Alternatively: We bought a cut-price sofa, and it’s in perfect condition.
15. Reasonably priced
Meaning: Fairly priced, neither too high nor too low.
For Example: This restaurant is reasonably priced, making it great for families.
Alternatively: The concert tickets were reasonably priced, so everyone could go.
16. Low-cost
Meaning: Not expensive, affordable.
For Example: The low-cost airline offered cheap flights to different destinations.
Alternatively: She found a low-cost way to decorate her room using DIY items.
17. Budget-friendly
Meaning: Affordable, within one’s budget.
For Example: The budget-friendly options for lunch were sandwiches and wraps.
Alternatively: We chose a budget-friendly vacation spot that still offered a lot of fun.
18. Affordable luxury
Meaning: A product or service that is priced lower than expected for something luxurious.
For Example: The hotel offered affordable luxury with its beautiful rooms at low prices.
Alternatively: That brand offers affordable luxury, giving us designer items at lower costs.
19. At a steal
Meaning: A great bargain or deal, especially at a surprisingly low price.
For Example: I bought this designer bag at a steal during the clearance sale.
Alternatively: The antique chair was a steal, considering its value.
20. Cheap as dirt
Meaning: Extremely inexpensive.
For Example: Those movie tickets were cheap as dirt, so I took my friends along.
Alternatively: The old furniture was cheap as dirt, but it worked fine for the new apartment.
21. On sale
Meaning: Available at a reduced price for a limited time.
For Example: The shoes were on sale, so I got them for half the original price.
Alternatively: All of the winter coats were on sale in the store last weekend.
22. Pay peanuts
Meaning: To pay very little money for something.
For Example: I paid peanuts for the concert tickets because they were discounted.
Alternatively: The lunch special was so cheap; I paid peanuts for a full meal.
23. Discounted
Meaning: Reduced in price.
For Example: I bought the phone because it was discounted by 30%.
Alternatively: The laptop was discounted, so I was able to afford it.
24. At rock-bottom prices
Meaning: The lowest price possible.
For Example: They were selling clothes at rock-bottom prices during the store’s clearance event.
Alternatively: The hotel room was offered at rock-bottom prices because it was off-season.
25. Good deal
Meaning: A purchase that is considered to be very affordable for its value.
For Example: I got a good deal on a new jacket that was originally expensive.
Alternatively: This used car was a good deal because it still runs great.
26. Low-priced
Meaning: Priced low, affordable.
For Example: They have a lot of low-priced items in their discount section.
Alternatively: I bought the shoes at a low-priced store in the mall.
27. Budget option
Meaning: A more affordable choice that costs less.
For Example: The budget option for a hotel room was simple, but it worked for the night.
Alternatively: We picked the budget option for dinner to save money.
28. Discount store
Meaning: A retail store offering goods at lower prices than regular stores.
For Example: I found this jacket at the discount store for less than half its original price.
Alternatively: The discount store had everything we needed for a reasonable price.
29. Inexpensive as a soda
Meaning: Very cheap, almost as cheap as a basic soda.
For Example: The ticket to the park was inexpensive as a soda, so we could all go.
Alternatively: That snack was as inexpensive as a soda, so I grabbed a few.
30. A penny saved is a penny earned
Meaning: Saving money is just as valuable as earning it.
For Example: He always looks for discounts because a penny saved is a penny earned.
Alternatively: I’ve been cutting back on small purchases because a penny saved is a penny earned.
31. At a fraction of the cost
Meaning: Significantly cheaper than the usual price.
For Example: I got a new phone at a fraction of the cost because of the sale.
Alternatively: We bought the art supplies at a fraction of the cost during the special offer.
32. Bargain basement
Meaning: The lowest price section in a store.
For Example: I got these shoes from the bargain basement, and they look brand new.
Alternatively: The jacket I wanted was in the bargain basement, so I paid only $10.
33. Penny-wise
Meaning: Being very careful and economical with money.
For Example: She is penny-wise, always looking for ways to save a few dollars.
Alternatively: He’s penny-wise when it comes to groceries, only buying what’s on sale.
34. Affordably priced
Meaning: Priced so that most people can afford it.
For Example: The new restaurant is affordably priced with a great variety on the menu.
Alternatively: I found an affordably priced couch at the furniture store.
35. Budget-friendly option
Meaning: A choice that fits within a limited budget.
For Example: The museum offers a budget-friendly option with free admission on certain days.
Alternatively: We decided on a budget-friendly option for the birthday party decorations.
36. In the price range
Meaning: Within a certain budget or price limit.
For Example: The toys are all in the price range of $5 to $10.
Alternatively: The shoes I liked were in the price range I wanted to spend.
37. Small price to pay
Meaning: A low cost for something that is worthwhile.
For Example: The hotel was a small price to pay for the great view and amenities.
Alternatively: The ticket price was a small price to pay for such a fun experience.
38. Affordable as a lunch
Meaning: So cheap it is almost as inexpensive as a basic lunch.
For Example: The tickets to the zoo were affordable as a lunch, so the whole family could go.
Alternatively: The cost of the toy was affordable as a lunch, so I bought it without hesitation.
39. Easy on the wallet
Meaning: Not hard to afford, inexpensive.
For Example: That new movie is easy on the wallet, only $5 per ticket.
Alternatively: The snacks were easy on the wallet, so I bought enough for everyone.
40. Low on the cost scale
Meaning: At a lower price compared to similar products or services.
For Example: The new restaurant is low on the cost scale but has great food.
Alternatively: I bought the new headphones, which were low on the cost scale but still high in quality.
Idioms for Affordable: True/False Quiz
- “On a shoestring budget” means you’re spending a lot of money.
True / False - A “knockdown price” refers to something being sold at a very high price.
True / False - “Pocket change” is used to describe something very expensive.
True / False - If something is “wallet-friendly,” it is affordable and easy on your budget.
True / False - If you’re buying something “at rock-bottom prices,” it means you’re getting it for the lowest price.
True / False - “Cheap as dirt” refers to something very expensive.
True / False - “A bargain” means you bought something at an extremely high price.
True / False - “Inexpensive as a soda” refers to something that is very cheap.
True / False - If you “buy something at a fraction of the cost,” you are paying a lower price.
True / False - “Affordable luxury” refers to something that is both expensive and out of reach.
True / False
Answer Key
- False
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
Scoring Guide
- 10 Correct Answers: Affordable Idioms Master!
- 7–9 Correct Answers: You really get Affordable Idioms nice work!
- 4–6 Correct Answers: You’re learning keep going!
- 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Affordable Idioms together!
Conclusion
Talking about prices can sometimes be tricky, but using idioms can make it easier and more fun. Whether you are talking about a bargain, a budget-friendly choice, or something that’s cheap as chips, these expressions can help you communicate clearly and even add a little humor to the conversation.
By learning these idioms, you’ll be able to describe prices and deals in more interesting ways. Now you have a wide variety of phrases to use when shopping, dining out, or discussing budgets with friends and family. Keep practicing, and soon these idioms will become part of your everyday language!
