Top 50 Shopping Idioms to Supercharge ESL Lessons

If you’re teaching English learners how to talk about money, then you’re in the right place. This post is packed with shopping idioms—the kind of common expressions native speakers use every day when talking about buying, selling, or spending money.

These idioms aren’t just fun to learn—they’re also perfect for creating engaging conversations, practical role-plays, and meaningful classroom debates. Whether your students are beginners or intermediate learners, these expressions can help them sound more natural and confident in everyday situations.

We’ve made sure the meanings are clear and easy to understand, and each idiom comes with simple example sentences and three real-life questions to help students connect the idioms to their own lives.

As an ESL teacher, you’ll love how easy it is to turn this list into powerful classroom activities. You can build vocabulary lessons, use the idioms for pair speaking tasks, or even have your students do shopping-themed skits or mock interviews.

If you’re looking for a one-stop guide to teaching shopping idioms through real-life language practice, this is the best resource for your next ESL class.

1. A bargain at twice the price

Meaning: Something so good or valuable that it would still be a good deal even if it cost more.

Example Sentences:

1. This software saves us hours of work—it’s a bargain at twice the price.
2. The new coffee machine was a bargain at twice the price for how well it works.
3. Their service is fast and helpful—a bargain at twice the price.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever bought something that felt like a bargain at twice the price?
2. What product or service at work do you think is worth double the cost?
3. Do you think training programs can be a bargain at twice the price?

2. A steal

Meaning: Something bought for much less money than it is worth.

Example Sentences:

1. We got the office chairs for half price—they were a steal.
2. That business course was a steal at just $20.
3. This computer was a steal with all the features it has.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever found a business item that was a steal?
2. What kind of deals do you look for at work?
3. Do you enjoy finding good prices on work-related items?

3. All sold out

Meaning: Everything is gone; there’s nothing left to buy.

Example Sentences:

1. The conference tickets were all sold out in two days.
2. We went to buy that printer, but it was all sold out.
3. The office supply store was all sold out of paper.

Context Questions:

1. Have you tried to buy something for work that was all sold out?
2. What would you do if a needed item was sold out?
3. Have you ever missed a work event because it was sold out?

4. At a premium

Meaning: Something that is hard to find and more expensive than usual.

Example Sentences:

1. Office space is at a premium in this area.
2. Skilled workers are at a premium during busy seasons.
3. Good internet service is at a premium in our building.

Context Questions:

1. What is at a premium in your workplace right now?
2. Do you think your time is at a premium during deadlines?
3. Have you ever paid more for something because it was at a premium?

5. Bargain basement

Meaning: Something very cheap or low in quality or price.

Example Sentences:

1. We bought bargain basement laptops for the interns.
2. The software is bargain basement, so don’t expect much.
3. They’re offering bargain basement rates for new clients.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever used bargain basement tools at work?
2. Would you buy bargain basement office supplies to save money?
3. What are the risks of choosing bargain basement services?

6. Buyer’s remorse

Meaning: Feeling regret or sadness after buying something.

Example Sentences:

1. I had buyer’s remorse after signing up for that expensive course.
2. She felt buyer’s remorse about the new office desk.
3. We had buyer’s remorse when the software didn’t work well.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever had buyer’s remorse about a work purchase?
2. How do you avoid buyer’s remorse in business?
3. What was your worst buyer’s remorse experience?

7. Buy into (something)

Meaning: To believe or support an idea or plan.

Example Sentences:

1. The team didn’t buy into the new sales strategy.
2. Our boss wants us to buy into the new system.
3. Not everyone bought into the company’s new vision.

Context Questions:

1. Do you buy into your company’s goals?
2. How do you help others buy into your ideas?
3. Have you ever bought into a plan that failed?

8. Buy time

Meaning: To delay something so you can get more time to prepare.

Example Sentences:

1. We extended the deadline to buy time for the design team.
2. I asked more questions to buy time before answering.
3. They delayed the meeting to buy time for more data.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever needed to buy time at work?
2. What’s a smart way to buy time in meetings?
3. When is it okay to buy time in business?

9. Buy up

Meaning: To purchase all available items of something.

Example Sentences:

1. They bought up all the office chairs during the sale.
2. The company bought up small firms to grow fast.
3. We bought up all the paper before prices increased.

Context Questions:

1. Has your company ever bought up materials in advance?
2. What might be a reason to buy up equipment?
3. Do you think buying up stock is a good idea in business?

10. Cash and carry

Meaning: You pay in full and take the item with you immediately.

Example Sentences:

1. We bought the printer from a cash and carry store.
2. It’s a cash and carry deal—no delivery.
3. The supplier only does cash and carry orders.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever made a cash and carry purchase for work?
2. What are the pros and cons of cash and carry shopping?
3. Would your office benefit from using a cash and carry supplier?

11. For a song

Meaning: Sold very cheaply.

Example Sentences:

1. We got the office furniture for a song at the auction.
2. He sold his old computer for a song just to get rid of it.
3. They bought the filing cabinets for a song from a closing business.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever bought something for a song at work?
2. What kind of items can you get for a song in your country?
3. Do you think buying for a song always means a good deal?

12. Fork over the cash

Meaning: Reluctantly pay money.

Example Sentences:

1. We had to fork over the cash for last-minute printing.
2. I forked over the cash for a new office chair, even though it was costly.
3. The company finally forked over the cash for upgraded software.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever had to fork over the cash for a business need?
2. What made you fork over the cash unwillingly at work?
3. How do you feel when you fork over the cash for expensive tools?

13. Going for a song

Meaning: Being sold very cheaply.

Example Sentences:

1. These headsets were going for a song, so we grabbed five.
2. The old printers were going for a song at the warehouse sale.
3. He found the business books going for a song online.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever bought something going for a song?
2. What business items usually go for a song after a season?
3. Is it smart to buy things going for a song even if you don’t need them yet?

14. Good deal

Meaning: A purchase that is worth the price or fair.

Example Sentences:

1. That training course was a good deal for our team.
2. We got a good deal on the new office furniture.
3. It’s a good deal if the service saves us time.

Context Questions:

1. What was your last good deal at work?
2. How do you know if something is a good deal?
3. Have you ever thought something was a good deal, but it wasn’t?

15. Hard sell

Meaning: A sales method that is very aggressive or forceful.

Example Sentences:

1. The supplier used a hard sell to push the software.
2. I don’t like the hard sell—they kept calling all week.
3. They tried the hard sell, but we didn’t buy anything.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever faced a hard sell from a vendor?
2. Do you think the hard sell works in business?
3. How do you respond to someone using the hard sell?

16. Have deep pockets

Meaning: Have a lot of money to spend.

Example Sentences:

1. That company has deep pockets—they can afford any tech.
2. Only businesses with deep pockets can rent space here.
3. We can’t compete with firms that have deep pockets.

Context Questions:

1. Do you think your company has deep pockets?
2. How does having deep pockets help in business decisions?
3. Can small companies win without deep pockets?

17. High-end

Meaning: Very expensive and high quality.

Example Sentences:

1. We use high-end software for design work.
2. They ordered high-end laptops for the executives.
3. This store only sells high-end office supplies.

Context Questions:

1. Do you use any high-end products at work?
2. What’s the benefit of choosing high-end tools?
3. Would you rather buy one high-end item or many cheaper ones?

18. Impulse buy

Meaning: Something bought without planning.

Example Sentences:

1. I made an impulse buy and got a new desk lamp.
2. The coffee machine was an impulse buy, but it’s great.
3. She made an impulse buy at the tech fair.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever made an impulse buy at work?
2. What leads to impulse buys in the office?
3. Are impulse buys usually helpful or wasteful?

19. In the market for

Meaning: Wanting or planning to buy something.

Example Sentences:

1. We’re in the market for new project software.
2. I’m in the market for a standing desk.
3. The company is in the market for a digital marketing agency.

Context Questions:

1. Are you in the market for anything for your office?
2. How do you decide what to buy when you’re in the market?
3. What’s the best thing you bought after being in the market for a while?

20. Jack up the price

Meaning: Increase the price quickly or unfairly.

Example Sentences:

1. They jacked up the price after seeing our interest.
2. The vendor jacked up the price before the deadline.
3. They always jack up the price during busy season.

Context Questions:

1. Have you seen a business jack up the price unfairly?
2. What do you do when someone jacks up the price?
3. Is it ever okay to jack up the price in business?

21. Keep the receipt

Meaning: Be cautious or ready to return something if needed.

Example Sentences:

1. Always keep the receipt in case the printer breaks.
2. I told him to keep the receipt for the office supplies.
3. She kept the receipt because she wasn’t sure it would fit.

Context Questions:

1. Do you usually keep the receipt after business purchases?
2. Why is it helpful to keep the receipt at work?
3. When did keeping the receipt help you solve a problem?

22. Knockdown price

Meaning: A very low or heavily reduced price.

Example Sentences:

1. We bought the chairs at a knockdown price.
2. They offered us software at a knockdown price.
3. The knockdown price was too good to ignore.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever found something useful for a knockdown price?
2. What do you usually buy at knockdown prices for your job?
3. Do knockdown prices always mean good quality?

23. Look like a million bucks

Meaning: Look very attractive, stylish, or impressive.

Example Sentences:

1. He looked like a million bucks in his business suit.
2. The new office space looks like a million bucks.
3. She updated the presentation, and now it looks like a million bucks.

Context Questions:

1. When did you last feel like you looked like a million bucks at work?
2. How can an office or product look like a million bucks?
3. Do appearances matter in your business?

24. Make a killing

Meaning: Make a lot of money quickly or easily.

Example Sentences:

1. They made a killing on that product launch.
2. We made a killing selling our old tech online.
3. He made a killing by flipping office furniture.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever made a killing in business?
2. What kind of deals help you make a killing?
3. Is it better to make a killing once or earn slowly over time?

25. Marked down

Meaning: Lowered in price.

Example Sentences:

1. These printers are marked down for clearance.
2. We got marked down laptops for the team.
3. The software was marked down after the update.

Context Questions:

1. Do you often look for items that are marked down?
2. What kind of business tools are usually marked down?
3. Is marked down always better than full price?

26. Money to burn

Meaning: Having a lot of money and spending it freely.

Example Sentences:

1. They must have money to burn to host such big events.
2. He acts like he has money to burn on office gadgets.
3. This client has money to burn and wants the best of everything.

Context Questions:

1. Do you know any businesses that seem to have money to burn?
2. Is it smart to spend like you have money to burn?
3. How do you handle your budget when others have money to burn?

27. Off the rack

Meaning: Ready-made clothing, not custom made.

Example Sentences:

1. He bought his work suit off the rack.
2. These uniforms were ordered off the rack to save time.
3. She prefers off the rack because it’s faster and cheaper.

Context Questions:

1. Do you buy work clothes off the rack or custom?
2. What are the pros of getting clothes off the rack?
3. Have you ever had problems with off-the-rack sizes?

28. On sale

Meaning: Selling for a lower price than usual.

Example Sentences:

1. These office chairs were on sale last week.
2. I always wait until printers go on sale.
3. We found great deals while the tech was on sale.

Context Questions:

1. Do you check if items are on sale before buying?
2. What’s the best thing you’ve ever bought on sale for work?
3. When is the best time to buy office tools on sale?

29. Out of your price range

Meaning: Too expensive for your budget.

Example Sentences:

1. That laptop is out of my price range.
2. The office downtown is out of our price range.
3. We wanted the top model, but it’s out of our price range.

Context Questions:

1. What’s something you wanted for work but was out of your price range?
2. How do you handle items that are out of your price range?
3. Is it ever worth buying something that’s out of your price range?

30. Over the counter

Meaning: Bought directly without prescription or negotiation.

Example Sentences:

1. We bought those office supplies over the counter.
2. This tool is sold over the counter in tech stores.
3. They offered basic plans over the counter, no contract.

Context Questions:

1. What work items can you buy over the counter?
2. Is buying over the counter faster for your team?
3. Have you ever had to choose between over-the-counter and custom services?

31. Pay through the nose

Meaning: Pay a very high or unfair price.

Example Sentences:

1. We paid through the nose for last-minute office space.
2. I had to pay through the nose for the event supplies.
3. They paid through the nose for the software upgrade.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever paid through the nose for something at work?
2. What can you do to avoid paying through the nose?
3. Is it ever okay to pay through the nose for quality?

32. Pick up the tab

Meaning: Pay the total bill, often for others.

Example Sentences:

1. The company picked up the tab for dinner.
2. He picked up the tab after our client lunch.
3. I picked up the tab for the office snacks this time.

Context Questions:

1. When do you usually pick up the tab at work?
2. Who picks up the tab during client meetings?
3. How do you feel when someone else picks up the tab?

33. Price tag shock

Meaning: Feeling surprised at how expensive something is.

Example Sentences:

1. I got price tag shock when I saw the laptop cost.
2. The new office chairs gave me price tag shock.
3. He had price tag shock after checking the event fees.

Context Questions:

1. What item gave you price tag shock recently?
2. How do you handle price tag shock at work?
3. Do you ever buy something even after price tag shock?

34. Push the product

Meaning: Promote or try to sell something strongly.

Example Sentences:

1. The sales team is pushing the product hard this month.
2. We need to push the product during the launch.
3. They hired influencers to push the product online.

Context Questions:

1. Do you ever have to push the product at your job?
2. What’s a good way to push a product without being annoying?
3. When should you not push the product too hard?

35. Put your money where your mouth is

Meaning: Prove your words with action, usually financial.

Example Sentences:

1. He said he supports the project, so now he should put his money where his mouth is.
2. If you really believe in it, put your money where your mouth is.
3. She finally put her money where her mouth is and invested in the startup.

Context Questions:

1. When have you put your money where your mouth is?
2. Should companies always put their money where their mouth is?
3. Can you give an example of someone doing this at work?

36. Retail therapy

Meaning: Shopping to feel better when you’re upset or stressed.

Example Sentences:

1. I needed some retail therapy after that stressful meeting.
2. She went out for retail therapy during her lunch break.
3. Retail therapy helped me relax after a tough work week.

Context Questions:

1. Do you believe in retail therapy after a long workday?
2. What’s something you buy during retail therapy?
3. Is retail therapy helpful or harmful in the workplace?

37. Rip-off

Meaning: Something that is too expensive and not worth the cost.

Example Sentences:

1. That online service is a total rip-off.
2. We avoided the rip-off by reading reviews first.
3. The consultant fee was a rip-off for what we got.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever paid for a rip-off at work?
2. What can you do to avoid rip-offs in business?
3. Is price always a sign of value?

38. Run up a bill

Meaning: Create a large amount of charges or costs.

Example Sentences:

1. We ran up a big bill at the conference hotel.
2. He ran up a bill by ordering lots of supplies.
3. Try not to run up a bill without approval.

Context Questions:

1. What causes you to run up a bill at work?
2. How do you manage big bills in your office?
3. Has someone ever run up a bill and left it to you?

39. Sell like hotcakes

Meaning: Sell very fast and in large amounts.

Example Sentences:

1. Our new planner is selling like hotcakes.
2. The tickets for our business event sold like hotcakes.
3. Their new app is selling like hotcakes in the market.

Context Questions:

1. What product do you sell that sells like hotcakes?
2. Why do some things sell like hotcakes?
3. What do you do when your product starts selling like hotcakes?

40. Shop around

Meaning: Compare prices and options before buying.

Example Sentences:

1. I always shop around before choosing a vendor.
2. We shopped around for the best internet deal.
3. She shopped around to find affordable printers.

Context Questions:

1. Do you shop around before big purchases at work?
2. What’s something you saved money on by shopping around?
3. How long do you spend shopping around for deals?

41. Under the counter

Meaning: Sold in secret or in a way that is not allowed, often illegal.

Example Sentences:

1. Some vendors sell imported items under the counter.
2. He got the document under the counter without approval.
3. They offered the tickets under the counter to avoid taxes.

Context Questions:

1. Have you heard of things sold under the counter at work?
2. Why is it risky to buy things under the counter?
3. What would you do if someone offered you a deal under the counter?

42. Up for grabs

Meaning: Available for anyone to take or buy.

Example Sentences:

1. The extra monitor is up for grabs.
2. That promotion is up for grabs next quarter.
3. These free samples are up for grabs at the booth.

Context Questions:

1. Have you taken anything that was up for grabs at work?
2. What was recently up for grabs in your office?
3. Do you act fast when something is up for grabs?

43. Window shopping

Meaning: Looking at items without planning to buy anything.

Example Sentences:

1. I went window shopping during my lunch break.
2. She loves window shopping for new office furniture.
3. He spent hours window shopping for laptops.

Context Questions:

1. Do you enjoy window shopping after work?
2. What’s the last thing you window shopped for?
3. Is window shopping helpful before a real purchase?

44. Worth every penny

Meaning: A purchase that is completely satisfying or valuable.

Example Sentences:

1. This software is worth every penny.
2. The training course was expensive but worth every penny.
3. That ergonomic chair is worth every penny for your back.

Context Questions:

1. What have you bought that was worth every penny?
2. Is it better to buy something cheap or worth every penny?
3. Have you ever spent a lot and still felt it was worth every penny?

45. Your money’s worth

Meaning: The value received is equal to or more than the cost paid.

Example Sentences:

1. You get your money’s worth with this service.
2. We always get our money’s worth from this supplier.
3. I didn’t feel I got my money’s worth with that tool.

Context Questions:

1. Do you always get your money’s worth at work?
2. What service gives you your money’s worth?
3. Have you ever felt something wasn’t your money’s worth?

46. Zero in on (a deal)

Meaning: Focus closely on finding or getting a good deal.

Example Sentences:

1. I zeroed in on a good deal for laptops.
2. She’s great at zeroing in on the best suppliers.
3. We need to zero in on better shipping costs.

Context Questions:

1. How do you zero in on good deals at work?
2. When did you last zero in on a great purchase?
3. What helps you zero in on smart deals?

47. Buy low, sell high

Meaning: Purchase something cheaply and sell it later at a higher price for profit.

Example Sentences:

1. They bought low and sold high with real estate.
2. Our company uses the buy low, sell high strategy for products.
3. She always tries to buy low and sell high in the stock market.

Context Questions:

1. Have you used the buy low, sell high method at work?
2. Why is it smart to buy low and sell high?
3. What’s an example of buying low and selling high?

48. Cash in on

Meaning: Use an opportunity to make money or gain something.

Example Sentences:

1. They cashed in on the holiday sale rush.
2. We cashed in on the growing demand for remote tools.
3. He cashed in on his contacts to win the project.

Context Questions:

1. When did you last cash in on a business opportunity?
2. How do you cash in on trends at work?
3. What’s a smart way to cash in on your skills?

49. Cost an arm and a leg

Meaning: Be very expensive.

Example Sentences:

1. The office upgrade cost an arm and a leg.
2. That new software costs an arm and a leg.
3. Avoid suppliers that charge an arm and a leg.

Context Questions:

1. What work item cost you an arm and a leg?
2. Was it worth the arm and a leg you paid?
3. Do you think good things should cost an arm and a leg?

50. Pay the price

Meaning: Suffer the result or cost of something, often negative.

Example Sentences:

1. We paid the price for not reading the contract.
2. He paid the price for delaying the shipment.
3. The company paid the price for poor service.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever paid the price for a mistake at work?
2. What can cause a team to pay the price?
3. How can you avoid paying the price in business?

Conclusion

Teaching shopping idioms is a great way to help your ESL students understand how English speakers talk about money, buying, and value in real life. These idioms make your lessons more practical and help students feel more confident when they speak.

By using these idioms in questions, conversations, role-plays, or even debates, students can practice using natural language in fun and useful ways. These expressions also build strong vocabulary skills and prepare students for everyday situations like shopping, budgeting, or discussing prices.

If you’re an ESL teacher looking to make your lessons more engaging and realistic, adding shopping idioms is a smart and simple choice.

FAQs About Using Shopping Idioms in ESL Class

What are shopping idioms, and why are they useful for ESL learners?
Shopping idioms are expressions related to buying and spending. They’re useful because they teach students how real people talk about money in everyday life.

How can I teach shopping idioms to beginners?
Start with simple idioms, clear meanings, and short example sentences. Use pictures or role-plays to make them fun and easier to understand.

Can shopping idioms be used in conversation practice?
Yes! They are perfect for pair work or small group conversations where students talk about shopping habits or past purchases.

Are these idioms suitable for intermediate learners?
Definitely. Intermediate learners benefit the most because they can understand the context and try using the idioms in real sentences.

What class activities can I create using shopping idioms?
You can design vocabulary quizzes, storytelling tasks, shopping role-plays, debates about prices, and discussion questions using these idioms.

Should I focus on idioms only, or also teach literal phrases?
Both are important. Idioms add natural flow to conversations, but literal phrases help with clear communication. A mix is best.

How often should I teach idioms like these?
You can introduce a few idioms each week. Recycle them in different lessons to help students remember and use them.

Can I include shopping idioms in listening or reading lessons?
Yes! Use short audio clips, ads, or dialogues where idioms are used. Then ask students to identify and explain the idioms.

How do shopping idioms help in writing?
They make writing more colorful and expressive. Students can use them in personal stories, dialogues, or opinion essays about shopping.

Do native speakers really use these shopping idioms?
Absolutely. Many of these idioms are common in everyday speech, especially when talking about deals, money, and shopping experiences.