Have you ever heard someone say they got something “for peanuts” or “dirt cheap”? These funny sayings are called idioms. Idioms about affordable things show us creative ways to say something doesn’t cost a lot of money. People use these sayings every day to talk about shopping, food, toys, and more without saying “cheap” each time.
In this article, you’ll learn some common idioms for “affordable.” Knowing these idioms helps you understand conversations better. It also lets you speak clearly and makes your words interesting. Soon, you’ll easily spot these sayings when others use them, and you’ll even start using them yourself! Let’s get ready to explore these idioms and test what you’ve learned.
Idioms for Affordable
1. Cost an arm and a leg (used negatively)
Meaning: Too expensive
Sample Sentences: That toy costs an arm and a leg! / We didn’t buy the bike because it cost an arm and a leg.
Other Way to Say: Too pricey / Not cheap
2. Dirt cheap
Meaning: Very inexpensive
Sample Sentences: The pencils were dirt cheap at the store. / We got that book for a dirt cheap price.
Other Way to Say: Super cheap / Very low cost
3. A steal
Meaning: A very good deal
Sample Sentences: That jacket was a steal at $10. / This tablet is a steal for that price.
Other Way to Say: Bargain / Great deal
4. Easy on the wallet
Meaning: Doesn’t cost much
Sample Sentences: Those snacks are easy on the wallet. / This toy is fun and easy on the wallet.
Other Way to Say: Not expensive / Low-cost
5. Bang for your buck
Meaning: Good value for the money
Sample Sentences: This video game gives a lot of fun for little money—it’s a bang for your buck! / That lunch was a bang for our buck.
Other Way to Say: Worth it / Good deal
6. Break the bank (used negatively)
Meaning: Costs too much
Sample Sentences: We want a fun trip that won’t break the bank. / That fancy phone would break the bank.
Other Way to Say: Too costly / Out of budget
7. Penny-pinching
Meaning: Trying to spend very little
Sample Sentences: My dad is penny-pinching so we don’t buy extra snacks. / They are penny-pinching to save up for a trip.
Other Way to Say: Saving money / Careful with spending
8. Worth every penny
Meaning: A good value even if it costs a little more
Sample Sentences: That backpack is strong—it’s worth every penny. / This ticket is worth every penny for the show.
Other Way to Say: A good buy / A solid value
9. Budget-friendly
Meaning: Works well with a small budget
Sample Sentences: These shoes are budget-friendly and comfy. / We found a budget-friendly hotel.
Other Way to Say: Affordable / Easy on money
10. Doesn’t cost a fortune
Meaning: Not very expensive
Sample Sentences: The trip doesn’t cost a fortune. / That tablet doesn’t cost a fortune anymore.
Other Way to Say: Reasonable / Not pricey
11. For a song
Meaning: For very little money
Sample Sentences: I bought that book for a song. / Those mittens were sold for a song at the market.
Other Way to Say: Very cheap / Almost free
12. On a shoestring
Meaning: Using a very small amount of money
Sample Sentences: We planned the birthday party on a shoestring. / Our school play was done on a shoestring.
Other Way to Say: Tiny budget / Very cheap plan
13. Get your money’s worth
Meaning: What you get is equal to what you pay
Sample Sentences: That toy gave us our money’s worth. / You really get your money’s worth with this movie.
Other Way to Say: Worth the cost / A fair deal
14. On the cheap
Meaning: At a low price
Sample Sentences: We found a place to eat on the cheap. / They travel on the cheap to save money.
Other Way to Say: Cheaply / Not costly
15. Cheap as chips
Meaning: Very cheap
Sample Sentences: That phone case was cheap as chips. / The pens were cheap as chips in that store.
Other Way to Say: Very inexpensive / Super cheap
16. Cut-rate
Meaning: Lower in price
Sample Sentences: They bought a cut-rate TV. / That store has cut-rate books.
Other Way to Say: Discounted / Sale price
17. Not cost a dime
Meaning: Free
Sample Sentences: The library doesn’t cost a dime. / This game app didn’t cost a dime to download.
Other Way to Say: Free / No charge
18. Value for money
Meaning: Good product for the price
Sample Sentences: These markers are good value for money. / That meal was value for money.
Other Way to Say: Worth it / Great deal
19. Half the price
Meaning: Much cheaper than expected
Sample Sentences: I got these boots for half the price. / That phone was sold for half the price online.
Other Way to Say: 50% off / Big discount
20. Low-cost
Meaning: Doesn’t cost much
Sample Sentences: This is a low-cost tablet for kids. / They stayed at a low-cost motel.
Other Way to Say: Affordable / Budget option
21. Priced to sell
Meaning: Marked at a low price to encourage buying
Sample Sentences: The bikes were priced to sell fast. / These toys are priced to sell before the holidays.
Other Way to Say: Discounted / Bargain price
22. Cut a deal
Meaning: Get something at a lower price
Sample Sentences: He cut a deal on those shoes. / We cut a deal with the seller.
Other Way to Say: Got a discount / Made a deal
23. On a budget
Meaning: Trying not to spend too much
Sample Sentences: We’re shopping on a budget today. / She planned the trip on a budget.
Other Way to Say: Saving money / Watching spending
24. Pay peanuts
Meaning: Pay very little
Sample Sentences: He paid peanuts for that jacket. / We paid peanuts at that thrift store.
Other Way to Say: Very little / Almost nothing
25. On sale
Meaning: Being sold at a lower price
Sample Sentences: The toys were on sale at Target. / These shoes are on sale this week.
Other Way to Say: Discounted / Marked down
26. A bargain
Meaning: A good deal
Sample Sentences: That winter coat was a bargain. / We found a real bargain at the outlet store.
Other Way to Say: Great price / Good buy
27. Not break the bank
Meaning: Doesn’t cost too much
Sample Sentences: That tablet won’t break the bank. / Going to the movies won’t break the bank if we skip snacks.
Other Way to Say: Reasonable / Within budget
28. Worth the price
Meaning: Good quality for the cost
Sample Sentences: The backpack was worth the price. / That toy is worth the price because it lasts.
Other Way to Say: Fair cost / Good value
29. Fair price
Meaning: A price that makes sense for what you get
Sample Sentences: The shoes had a fair price. / We got the tickets at a fair price.
Other Way to Say: Reasonable cost / Just right
30. Special deal
Meaning: A limited-time lower price
Sample Sentences: The game was part of a special deal. / We got a special deal on the science set.
Other Way to Say: Sale / Offer
31. Knock-down price
Meaning: Very low price
Sample Sentences: That book was sold at a knock-down price. / We grabbed the toy at a knock-down price.
Other Way to Say: Dirt cheap / Super low price
32. Discount deal
Meaning: Lower price than normal
Sample Sentences: They had a discount deal on backpacks. / I used a coupon for a discount deal.
Other Way to Say: Reduced cost / Sale
33. Cheap and cheerful
Meaning: Simple but good and inexpensive
Sample Sentences: That toy was cheap and cheerful. / We found a cheap and cheerful gift.
Other Way to Say: Fun but not costly / Simple and low-cost
34. Price slashed
Meaning: Price lowered a lot
Sample Sentences: Prices were slashed during the sale. / They slashed prices before closing.
Other Way to Say: Huge sale / Major markdown
35. Red tag deal
Meaning: A special sale marked clearly
Sample Sentences: We found a red tag deal on the shelf. / Red tag deals mean good savings.
Other Way to Say: Sale label / Clearance
36. Pocket change
Meaning: Very little money
Sample Sentences: That toy cost just pocket change. / The erasers were like pocket change.
Other Way to Say: Small cost / Tiny price
37. Budget pick
Meaning: Chosen for its low cost
Sample Sentences: This is a great budget pick for shoes. / The tablet was a smart budget pick.
Other Way to Say: Money saver / Low-cost choice
38. Cheap thrill
Meaning: Fun that doesn’t cost much
Sample Sentences: Watching cartoons is a cheap thrill. / The fair was a cheap thrill.
Other Way to Say: Low-cost fun / Fun on a budget
39. Two for one
Meaning: Buy one, get one free
Sample Sentences: We bought crayons two for one. / That store had a two-for-one deal on snacks.
Other Way to Say: BOGO / Free item offer
40. Blue light special
Meaning: A quick-time deal or discount
Sample Sentences: That toy was a blue light special at the store. / We grabbed a blue light special.
Other Way to Say: Flash sale / Limited deal
41. Going for a song
Meaning: Selling very cheap
Sample Sentences: Those books were going for a song. / The hats are going for a song.
Other Way to Say: Super cheap / Bargain
42. Easy deal
Meaning: Quick and cheap buy
Sample Sentences: That was an easy deal for a great game. / We made an easy deal for that chair.
Other Way to Say: Fast and cheap / Good buy
43. Light on the pocket
Meaning: Doesn’t cost a lot
Sample Sentences: The meal was light on the pocket. / This toy is light on the pocket.
Other Way to Say: Cheap / Budget-friendly
44. Black Friday price
Meaning: Very low, like on big sales
Sample Sentences: We got Black Friday prices early. / It felt like Black Friday prices at the sale.
Other Way to Say: Huge sale price / Big discount
45. Deal of the day
Meaning: A low price offered for one day
Sample Sentences: The robot toy was the deal of the day. / I bought it as today’s deal.
Other Way to Say: Daily special / Best today
46. Half-off
Meaning: 50% cheaper
Sample Sentences: All shoes were half-off! / That toy was half-off last week.
Other Way to Say: Half price / Big markdown
47. Rock-bottom price
Meaning: The lowest possible price
Sample Sentences: They’re selling those games at rock-bottom prices. / The rock-bottom price made us buy it.
Other Way to Say: Lowest cost / Final price
48. Save a bundle
Meaning: Save a lot of money
Sample Sentences: We saved a bundle shopping online. / Buying in bulk helps save a bundle.
Other Way to Say: Big savings / Saved money
49. Worth the dime
Meaning: Good value for money
Sample Sentences: That fun book was worth the dime. / These pencils are worth the dime.
Other Way to Say: Good value / Fair price
50. Little outlay
Meaning: Very small spending
Sample Sentences: We fixed it with little outlay. / The gift came with little outlay.
Other Way to Say: Small cost / Low effort
51. Recession special
Meaning: Very cheap during tough times
Sample Sentences: The diner had a recession special menu. / We ate the recession special lunch.
Other Way to Say: Very low price / Budget-friendly meal
52. Saver’s delight
Meaning: Great option for people saving money
Sample Sentences: That was a saver’s delight. / The toy was a saver’s delight.
Other Way to Say: Perfect for savings / Smart buy
53. Thrift find
Meaning: Something bought cheap from a thrift store
Sample Sentences: This was my best thrift find! / Look at this thrift find backpack.
Other Way to Say: Secondhand gem / Cheap and useful
54. Markdown magic
Meaning: A good item made better by a sale
Sample Sentences: These toys were pure markdown magic. / The shoes were markdown magic at the store.
Other Way to Say: Sale surprise / Discount treat
55. On clearance
Meaning: Priced to sell quickly
Sample Sentences: These books are on clearance. / That jacket was on clearance last week.
Other Way to Say: Final sale / Big discount
Multiple Choice Quiz: Idioms for Affordable
1. If something costs very little money, you might say it is:
A) Dirt cheap
B) Gold priced
C) Sky high
2. When something won’t cost too much, you could say it:
A) Will break the bank
B) Won’t break the bank
C) Costs an arm and a leg
3. Buying snacks at the dollar store is:
A) Outrageously expensive
B) Easy on the wallet
C) Costly
4. If your new shirt was bought for almost no money, it cost:
A) A fortune
B) For peanuts
C) Big bucks
5. Getting something at a really great low price can be called:
A) A steal
B) A rip-off
C) Expensive
6. Shopping at clearance sales helps you buy items:
A) At sky-high prices
B) At bargain basement prices
C) At premium prices
7. If your friend says something costs “pocket change,” it means:
A) It is very expensive
B) It costs a little money
C) It requires a big budget
8. Buying lunch that’s “budget-friendly” means:
A) It is costly
B) It is affordable
C) It is very fancy
9. Getting books at “half-price” means:
A) Paying double the normal price
B) Paying nothing
C) Paying half of the usual price
10. Something bought “on the cheap” means:
A) Bought at high prices
B) Bought at low prices
C) Bought at regular prices
11. If you pay “next to nothing,” you:
A) Spend a huge amount of money
B) Spend almost no money
C) Spend exactly half of your money
12. A “fair deal” means you:
A) Paid an unfair price
B) Paid a reasonable price
C) Paid too much
Answers key
1. A) Dirt cheap
2. B) Won’t break the bank
3. B) Easy on the wallet
4. B) For peanuts
5. A) A steal
6. B) At bargain basement prices
7. B) It costs a little money
8. B) It is affordable
9. C) Paying half of the usual price
10. B) Bought at low prices
11. B) Spend almost no money
12. B) Paid a reasonable price
Scoring Guide
12 Correct Answers: Love Idiom Master!
8-11 Correct Answers: Well on your way to understanding love Idioms.
4-7 Correct Answers: Room for improvement, but you’re getting there!
0-3 Correct Answers: Let’s explore the world of love Idioms together.
Conclusion
Great job! Now you know many idioms about affordable prices. These phrases help you talk clearly about spending less money. Using idioms can make your conversations more interesting. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be a pro at using these sayings every day.
