English Idioms About Shopping

Shopping is something most of us do, whether we’re buying food, clothes, or toys. But did you know there are fun and interesting phrases, called idioms, that people use to talk about shopping? These idioms make talking about shopping much more colorful and can help you sound like a native English speaker. Today, we’re going to explore a special idiom related to shopping that will add a sparkle to your conversations. So, grab your shopping list, and let’s dive into the world of shopping idioms to discover a new way of expressing ourselves!

What is Shopping?

Shopping refers to the activity of browsing or buying goods and services from stores or online platforms. It’s not just about purchasing necessities; it can also be a leisure activity where people look for items that bring them joy or fulfill their desires. Shopping can vary from grocery buying to indulging in luxury items, making it a versatile and universal experience.

Idioms About Shopping

1. Shop till you drop

Meaning: Exhaustively

Shopped till we dropped, utterly exhausted.
They shop till drop every Saturday.
Shop till you drop? Challenge accepted.

2. Window shopping

Meaning: Browsing

Just window shopping, not buying today.
They enjoyed window shopping downtown.
Window shopping can be surprisingly fun.

3. Retail therapy

Meaning: Rejuvenation

Needed retail therapy after a tough week.
Retail therapy always boosts her mood.
He went for some quick retail therapy.

4. Shopping spree

Meaning: Extravagant

Went on a shopping spree yesterday.
Their shopping spree lasted hours.
Celebrated with an epic shopping spree.

5. Bargain hunting

Meaning: Searching

Loves bargain hunting at flea markets.
Bargain hunting, found incredible deals!
Weekend plan? Definitely bargain hunting.

6. Cost an arm and a leg

Meaning: Expensive

This dress cost an arm and a leg.
Refused to pay an arm and a leg.
Luxury cars cost an arm and a leg.

7. Penny pincher

Meaning: Frugal

He’s a real penny pincher.
Penny pincher at every sale.
Saves a lot, true penny pincher.

8. Dirt cheap

Meaning: Inexpensive

Found dirt cheap vintage jeans.
Tickets were dirt cheap!
Dirt cheap prices, unbelievable deals.

9. Break the bank

Meaning: Expensive

This purchase will break the bank.
Wanted the sofa, but it’d break the bank.
Luxury vacation might break the bank.

10. Pay through the nose

Meaning: Overpriced

Paid through the nose for delivery.
Gourmet food costs, pay through the nose.
Pay through the nose at tourist traps.

11. Tighten one’s belt

Meaning: Economize

Had to tighten our belts this month.
Post-holiday, time to tighten the belt.
Tighten your belt, save more money.

12. Cut-rate

Meaning: Discounted

Bought cut-rate electronics online.
Cut-rate tickets available now.
Cut-rate sale ends today.

13. Shopping list

Meaning: Planned

Made a shopping list, budgeted well.
Forget the shopping list at home.
Shopping list saved us time.

14. On a shoestring

Meaning: Budget

Living on a shoestring, shopping wisely.
Traveled Europe on a shoestring.
Decorating on a shoestring budget.

15. Splash out

Meaning: Spend

Decided to splash out on shoes.
Splash out for anniversary dinner.
Rarely splashes out, but today’s special.

16. Nickel-and-diming

Meaning: Overcharging

Felt nickel-and-dimed at every turn.
Hate being nickel-and-dimed.
Nickel-and-diming hurts customer loyalty.

17. Buyer’s remorse

Meaning: Regret

Suffered buyer’s remorse after expensive purchase.
Buyer’s remorse? Return it.
Avoid buyer’s remorse, shop wisely.

18. Fork over

Meaning: Pay

Had to fork over big bucks.
Reluctantly forked over the cash.
Fork over more for quality.

19. Cheapskate

Meaning: Stingy

He’s a bit of a cheapskate.
Cheapskate avoids upscale stores.
Cheapskate? More like smart.

20. Money to burn

Meaning: Wealthy

Acts like she has money to burn.
Money to burn, shopping non-stop.
Money to burn? Lucky them.

21. Steal of a deal

Meaning: Bargain

Got a steal of a deal today!
Steal of a deal on shoes!
That car was a steal of a deal.

22. Worth its weight in gold

Meaning: Valuable

This tool is worth its weight in gold.
Advice that’s worth its weight in gold.
A loyal friend, worth their weight in gold.

23. Go Dutch

Meaning: Share

Let’s go Dutch on this gift.
Prefer to go Dutch on dates.
Went Dutch at the lunch outing.

24. Keep the change

Meaning: Generous

Told the cab driver, keep the change.
Generous mood, said keep the change.
Keep the change, enjoy it!

25. Pick up the tab