buy1 verbbuy2 noun
buybuy1 /baɪ/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense and past participle bought /bɔːt $ bɒːt/) 
WORD ORIGINbuy1
Origin:
Old English bycganVERB TABLE
buy
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | buy |
| he, she, it | buys | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | bought |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have bought |
| he, she, it | has bought | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had bought |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will buy |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have bought |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am buying |
| he, she, it | is buying | |
| you, we, they | are buying | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was buying |
| you, we, they | were buying | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been buying |
| he, she, it | has been buying | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been buying |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be buying |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been buying |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "He said he was with friends last night." "Are you going to buy that?"
- A dollar doesn't buy much these days.
- I bought a new dress today at Macy's.
- I wouldn't buy anything from him - I don't trust him.
- If you don't have enough money for the pen, I'll buy it for you.
- John makes his living buying and selling used cars.
- Keith was going to buy me a ring, but now he says he wants to buy me a watch instead.
- She'll never buy that excuse.
- The painting was bought by a museum in New York.
- The ranch, which was originally bought for $20,000, is now valued at over $2 million.
- They say the judge was bought.
- We bought a house in Atlanta.
- We could tell him it was an accident, but he'd never buy it.
- We decided to buy instead of rent.
- Again the politicians balked at the cost of buying the land, and the local press echoed their opinion.
- Check out the prices for buying into a hamburger or a pizza chain.
- Clients who buy through this service will receive a quarterly newsletter.
- He bought old refrigerators at garage sales and turned them into coolers for storing his flowers.
- If I want to buy you something I buy you earrings or something.
- It's always difficult to come to a conclusion about portable computers because people buy them for different reasons.
- The theme for April will be Easter and all proceeds will help buy glass and chinaware.
THESAURUS
to pay money for something so that you can own it: · I’ve just bought a new car.· The painting was bought by a museum in New York.
formal to buy something, especially something large or expensive, in a business deal or by a legal contract: · They purchased 5,000 acres of land.
formal to become the owner of something large or expensive such as property, a company, or a valuable object: · In 2007 the business was acquired by a Dutch company.· Television companies were then allowed to acquire more stations.
especially spoken to buy something, especially ordinary things such as food, clothes, or things for your house: · Did you remember to get some bread?· I never know what to get Dad for his birthday.
informal to buy something immediately, especially because it is very cheap, or because you want it very much and you are worried that someone else might buy it first: · Real estate in the area is being snapped up by developers.
informal to buy something, especially something ordinary such as food or a newspaper, or something that you have found by chance and are pleased about owning: · Could you pick up some milk on your way home?· It’s just a little thing I picked up when I was in Kathmandu.
to buy a lot of something you use regularly, because you may not be able to buy it later, or because you are planning to use more of it than usual: · The supermarkets are full of people stocking up for the New Year’s holiday.· We always stock up on cheap wine when we go to France.· Before the blizzard, we stocked up on food.
British English informal American English informal to buy something you would not usually buy, because it is too expensive, in order to celebrate an event or make yourself feel good: · Why don’t you splash out on a new dress for the party?· We splurged on an expensive hotel for the last night of the vacation.
Longman Language Activatorto buy something to pay money for something so that you can own it: · I bought a new dress today at Macy's.· John makes his living buying and selling used cars.· The painting was bought by a museum in New York.buy somebody something: · Keith was going to buy me a ring, but now he says he wants to buy me a watch instead.buy something for somebody: · If you don't have enough money for the pen, I'll buy it for you.buy something from somebody: · I wouldn't buy anything from him - I don't trust him.buy something for $10/£200 etc: · The ranch, which was originally bought for $20,000, is now valued at over $2 million.
especially spoken to buy something, especially ordinary things such as food, clothes, or things for your house: · Let me get the drinks. It's my turn to pay.· Did you remember to get the bread?get somebody something: · Guess what he got her for her birthday - an iron!get something for somebody: · I'm going to get one of those video games for Hillary.get something for £20/$50 etc: · What do you think of this leather jacket? I got it for $40 on sale.
formal to buy something - used in business and legal contracts: · Foreign investors are not permitted to purchase land.· If this product does not give complete satisfaction, please return it to the manufacturer stating when and where it was purchased.
to buy something immediately, especially because it is very cheap or you want it very much, and you are worried that someone else might buy it first: snap up something: · Readers have snapped up nearly 200,000 copies of the book.· The best bargains tend to be snapped up immediately.snap something up: · If you see one for under $100, snap it up!
to buy something that you have found by chance, especially something that is unusually cheap: pick up something: · He's hoping to pick up a few bargains at the sales.· It's just a little thing I picked up when I was in Kathmandu.pick something up: · That picture? Oh, I picked it up last week at a little shop downtown.
British splurge (on something) American to buy something you want such as an expensive meal, dress etc, which you would not usually buy because it is too expensive: · We splashed out on a bottle of champagne to celebrate her promotion.· Let's splurge and have the steak.
formal to become the owner of something such as land, a company, or a valuable object: · In 1998 the business was acquired by a Dutch company.· The statue was acquired at great expense by the City Corporation.· Robinson spent $20 million to acquire the symphony hall.
to buy a lot of something · You've been buying a lot of clothes recently. Have you decided to change your image?· We've bought lots of food and drink, so it should be a really good party.
to buy a large quantity of something you use regularly because you may not be able to buy it later, or because you are planning to use more of it than usual: · The supermarkets are full of people stocking up for the New Year's holiday.· We might as well stock up while we're here - it'll save us having to come back.stock up on: · We always stock up on cheap cigarettes when we go to Holland.
to buy a large quantity of something, especially because it is cheaper to buy a lot of it at one time: · We always buy in bulk. It is so much more economical.· Today more shoppers are using coupons and buying items in bulk.bulk buying (=buying goods in large quantities): · Bulk buying has enabled the company to cut costs.
if you buy something wholesale , you buy a large quantity of it directly from the company that makes it: · Mark buys the earrings wholesale and then sells them for a profit.· Let's see if we can get them wholesale and save ourselves a few dollars.
to quickly buy all of something such as land, tickets, food etc, when there is only a limited amount available: buy up something: · In the last five years development agencies have bought up almost all the land in the area.buy something up: · There weren't any good seats left for the game - some big company had bought them all up.
to buy goods from another country to be sold, used etc in your country, especially in large quantities: · The United States has to import some of its oil.import something from something: · Most of the wines served in this restaurant are imported from France.
British to buy enough of something to last for a long time, for example because it may be difficult to buy later: buy in something: · People had to buy in candles during the electricity strike.buy something in: · Villagers join together to buy enough food in to last throughout the winter.
to buy something for someone else to buy something such as a meal for someone because you like them or you want to celebrate something: · As it's your birthday, I thought I'd treat you.treat somebody to something: · Glen treated Cathy to dinner at one of the best restaurants in town.
spoken use this to say that you will pay for drinks, food etc or that a particular person will pay for them : · Don't worry about the price - this meal's on me.be on the house (=the bar or restaurant you are in will pay for your meal, drinks etc): · The manager apologized and told us our drinks would be on the house for the rest of the evening.
to buy a drink for everyone in the group that you are with, in a place which sells alcoholic drinks: · I'll get this round. What would you like?· Jack always leaves when it's his turn to buy a round.
to go to shops in order to buy things to go to shops to look at and buy things: · Let's meet in town. We can have lunch and go shopping.· I'm going shopping now. Do you want anything?
to go to shops in order to buy the things that you need regularly such as food: · On Saturdays we usually do the shopping and clean the house.· She sent her husband out to do the week's shopping.do my/your etc shopping: · I did all my shopping yesterday.grocery shopping American (=shopping for food): · We need to go grocery shopping - do you have the check book?
British go to the store American to go out to the local shop or shops in order to buy something, especially the things that you need regularly such as food: · "Where's Julie?'' "She's gone to the shops.''· If you go to the store, could you get some milk?· Mr Parker, my next-door neighbour, is getting old and I sometimes go to the shops for him.
to regularly use a particular shop , especially to buy things that you need regularly such as food: shop at/in: · I usually shop at Safeway. It's just around the corner from my house.· When she moved here, she had never shopped in a supermarket before.
to go to several different shops comparing goods and their prices before deciding which ones to buy: · If you shop around you could probably get the camera a lot cheaper.shop around for: · I spent a couple of weeks shopping around for the lowest insurance rates.
when you look at things in shop windows without intending to buy anything: · We spent the morning window shopping at all the antique stores.
someone who buys goods or services someone who buys goods from a particular shop, restaurant, or company: · We don't get many customers on Mondays - Saturday is our busiest day.· The barman was serving the last customer of the evening.· Ford has launched a big sales campaign in an effort to bring in new customers.biggest customer (=the customer who buys the most goods): · The Defense Department is one of Lockheed's biggest regular customers.
the people in a shop or town who are buying things: · The streets were crowded with Christmas shoppers.
someone who pays for services or advice from a professional person or organization: · Mr Langston normally meets with clients in the afternoon.· Elkins assured the judge that neither of his clients had a criminal record.· The firm is one of our oldest clients - we don't want to lose them.
someone who buys something expensive such as a house, company, or painting, usually from another person, not a shop or company: · We couldn't find a buyer for our house, so we weren't able to move after all.· They've had a lot of enquiries about the company - there's no shortage of potential buyers.
someone who buys and uses goods and services - use this especially to talk about people who buy things in general: · Consumers are demanding more environmentally friendly products.· The consumer is interested in high quality goods, not just low prices.
the people who regularly use a particular shop, restaurant etc, or the services of a professional person: · The hotel's clientele includes diplomats and Hollywood celebrities.· Madame Zara caters for a very select clientele.
the number of people who want to buy a product, or the type of people who want to buy it: · The magazine is aimed at the youth market.· Without research we can't be sure of the size of our market or even who our market is.market for: · The market for Internet-based products has grown dramatically in recent years.
to believe that something is true to be sure that something is true or that someone is telling the truth: · Did the police believe his story?· I told them I didn't do it, but no one believed me.· You shouldn't believe everything you read in the papers.believe (that): · People used to believe that the sun moved around the earth.believe it or not (=it may be hard to believe this): · I asked them for a $10,000 loan, and believe it or not they said yes.firmly/strongly believe: · I firmly believe that we are responsible for what happens to us in our lives.
to believe something because someone has persuaded you to believe it: · I finally accepted the fact that I would die if I didn't stop smoking.· She succeeded in persuading the jury to accept her version of the events.accept that: · She'll never accept that her husband has been unfaithful.
to believe what someone tells you even though you have no proof of it: · When he told me he'd been in the army, I took his word for it.· "Do you want to check for yourself?" "No, I'll take your word for it."
to believe what someone says even though you think they might not be telling the truth: · Something didn't seem quite right, but I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.· She claimed she wasn't trying to commit suicide, and doctors gave her the benefit of the doubt.
to accept that what someone tells you is true without asking for any proof, because you have decided to trust them: · I'm afraid I can't let you see the letter, so you'll just have to take what I'm saying on trust.· He said he'd never been in trouble before, which I was content to take on trust.
to believe what someone says or what you read, without thinking that it may have another meaning: · Netta accepted Amelia's explanation at face value and didn't ask any more questions.· The letter, if we take it at face value, suggests that Richard is quite happy in his job.
informal to believe a reason or explanation, especially one that is not very likely to be true - use this especially in negatives and questions: · We could tell him it was an accident, but he'd never buy it.· "He said he was with friends last night." "Are you going to buy that?"
to pay someone to do something to pay someone for work: · How much do they pay you?pay somebody for (doing) something: · They still haven't paid her for the work she did last year.· Did she pay you for taking care of her kids?be/get paid: · We get paid at the end of every month.pay somebody £100/$200 etc: · Ziedler was ready to pay her $2000 a week.pay somebody to do something: · If you pay someone to work in your house, you have to pay Social Security taxes on the wages.pay well/badly: · Jobs in areas that use mathematical skills, such as computer programming, tend to pay well.
to pay a waiter, taxi driver etc a little extra money: · Did you tip the waiter?· It's usual to tip about 15% in restaurants.
informal if you tell someone you will make it worth their while , you mean you will give them money if they agree to do something for you, especially something dishonest or not convenient: · I didn't want to lend Terry my car, but he said he'd make it worth my while.· The basketball federation in Kuwait offered him a coaching job, and made it worth his while.
to give someone money to stop them from causing trouble or doing something that they have threatened to do: buy somebody off/buy off somebody: · Do you really think the cops can't be bought off?buy somebody off with something: · The management has been trying to buy off union activists with substantial pay offers.
to buy something and pay for it later to buy something and pay for it later, usually by making small regular payments: · Most people have to make major purchases on credit.· In 2001, 56% of new cars were bought on credit.
to receive goods or services, especially in small shops or places where you know the owner, and agree to pay for them at a later time: · Can I put it on the slate, and I'll pay at the end of the week?
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
Dan bought the car for $2,000. It’s much cheaper to buy in bulk (=buy large quantities of something). ‘Let’s just say it was an accident.’ ‘He’ll never buy that.’COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES They bought the freehold of their house. We bought the carpets on HP. I got a used video camera for £300 – it would have cost £1,000 if I’d bought it new. We got most of our furniture second hand.
Dan bought the car for $2,000. It’s much cheaper to buy in bulk (=buy large quantities of something). ‘Let’s just say it was an accident.’ ‘He’ll never buy that.’· Tom rented an apartment at the top of the building.
· This remains a bargain buy at £3.99.
· They bought all their furniture on credit.
(=in a pub or a bar)· It’s my turn to buy you a drink.
· I had planned to buy a flat with Geraldine.
They bought the freehold of their house. (=the kinds of things you buy regularly)· The recession will mean that many people will be changing their spending habits.
· We bought this house when Liam was just a baby.
We bought the carpets on HP. (=buying something without having planned it)· She admitted that the necklace had been an impulse buy.
· You can buy insurance against risks of all kinds.
· He bought the chairs on the Internet.
I got a used video camera for £300 – it would have cost £1,000 if I’d bought it new. (=arrange it)· People with children should take out a life insurance policy.
(also get somebody a present informal)· I want to buy a present for Lucy but I’m not sure what she’d like.· Did you get Bill a birthday present?
· Buying a property is a complicated business.
We got most of our furniture second hand.· I bought some shares in British Gas five years ago.
· Sheila bought a ticket for the next flight home.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· A country is required within 3 - 5 years to repurchase its drawings through buying back its own currency with foreign currencies.· Now that same land would have to be bought back at considerable cost to the taxpayers.· First was Jacqui Dixon with £30,000 in used notes to buy back her surrogate son, a vacant-looking child.· I was buying back his trust, I knew.· The council had no legal obligation to buy back the property and previous repurchases were virtually unheard of.· The company will use the money to buy back short-term, high-interest debt.· Third, an Esop can be used to buy back shares from existing employee shareholders.· Time Warner and Turner end talks on Turner buying back a 19. 4 % stake.
NOUN· Forget house improvements; her next priority would be to buy a car, Ashley decided.· He bought cars, a classic Harley-Davidson motorcycle, boats, travel trailers and expensive pickups.· When it was offered for sale 1,500 people applied to buy the car and it was sold out within 2 days.· Or they might have bought a car instead, giving employment to auto workers.· If Brian agrees to buy the car, then changes his mind, can he withdraw his acceptance?· For example, in buying a motor car a person is buying such things as luxury or speed or economy or status.· I could refuse to buy her a car, but I could not insist that she feel some affection for me.
· In other words, might not loyalty in large companies be bought by promises of job security?· His grandfather Henry believed that people helped companies raise capital by buying their stock.· Fuji Bank and its securities company bought more than a third of the new bonds sold.· I also know that sterling exchange rates don't favour those companies buying on the international market.· To get around this problem, cable companies are actually buying movie production houses.
· Pub customers do not just buy their beer.· On the other hand, a customer could buy enough sand for 200 bags for only $ 9. 50.· Once the customer decides to buy the software, Hewlett provides a password over the phone granting a permanent licence.· All three knew well that customers buying computers needed some way to make them work together.· Around 100 companies all over Britain are giving away Air Miles vouchers to customers who buy their products and services.· They know it takes time and repeat exposure to get customers to buy new products.· What you do have to understand is what motivates a customer to buy a small green apple as opposed to a large red one.· And that will spur more customers to buy phones.
· You pay it only if you buy the goods.· Sales of electronics and batteries here mirror the international trend toward buying cordless, portable goods.· Further, the buyer must have made known to the seller the particular purpose for which he was buying the goods.· A cooperative had also been established where blacks could buy goods more cheaply.· People will rush to buy goods and assets before their prices rise further.· The trouble is, you bought the goods from the supplier - the supplier took your money.· But buying the goods is not enough.· The person who enters the shop and asks to buy goods displayed in the window does not therefore accept an offer.
· But no one there had ever heard of the Arektenje area of Jaffa where the newly married Damiani had bought his home.· Just down the row of lockers from Cianfrocco are two young players who just bought their first homes, neither in California.· A retired couple have gone to the High Court to force the Government to buy their home.· Now that my parents had bought orie home, the decision to acquire a second home came easily.· They are fast-moving, colourful, noisy, and as good if not better than anything you can buy for home computers.· Bombeck bought a home in Paradise Valley near Keane, a friend since her days in Ohio.· After all, if some one wants to buy a home they are more likely to approach a bank or building society.· They want to buy a home.
· The easiest way is to buy a kit house, like John and Stephanie.· The couple worked hard, and managed to raise and educate three children and to buy a house.· The Department of Transport says they should have known about it before they bought the house.· The look can be quaint or dated, but most people who buy an old house long to update the surfaces.· He had recently bought a huge house there with a garden which bordered on the river, directly opposite Botolph's Wharf.· A few years ago, we bought our Connecticut house from a family with five teen-agers.· He is buying a farm house along with several acres of ground, but the riding will be strictly for his children.· The couple bought the house that was just sold in 1994 for about $ 900, 000, sources say.
· But what is the investor buying with these funds?· News that an investor has bought a significant stake in any company is likely to lift that company's share price.· The last time investors bought a flurry of 100-year bonds was in 1993, when Walt Disney&.· Should an instrument come with an option attached allowing investors to buy or sell at particular prices?· If investors decide not to buy more telecommunications bonds, the bonds may not rise much higher, Patel said.· Private investors can buy gilts in several ways.
· The couple moved a mobile home on to their twenty acre smallholding at Awre after they bought the land four years ago.· Scottsdale voters took the most decisive action last May, approving a sales-tax increase to buy land in the McDowell Mountains.· Developer Urban Splash is involved and is in the process of buying part of the land.· But tribes with casinos are starting to use some of their profits to buy land and keep it from being destroyed.· The commission could buy land either by agreement or compulsorily, and it was given very wide powers for this purpose.· The peopIe who bought the land some years ago tore down every-thing.· A private citizen, secretly acting for the clergy, had pretended he was buying the land for non-religious purposes.· He saw in to the future and sold his camels and sheep and bought this land.
· There, a little money will buy you a good deal of swank.· Those who fish for lobster dive longer and deeper, just to make money to buy more cocaine.· He'd give me money to buy clothes, but I had to keep asking for it.· Not that he had the money to buy her diamonds, but still he thought it anyway.· Herbert gave him pocket money to buy one a week.· Second is that in the physical possession of the things which money can buy.· Did you know she lent him a lot of money to buy them?
· It was packed with people buying up stout shoes.· Sometimes it seems more support is given to people buying Tupperware than to those of us who want to parent wisely.· Stories such as this will only make people wary of buying Aboriginal art.· This expansion brings elements of Journal news coverage to an additional four million people who buy these newspapers.· The aim is to create a relaxed, friendly atmosphere which will encourage people to buy.· Workers should be producing what people want to buy.· The high quality will encourage people to buy surround-sound units.· Most people buy cookbooks to learn control, to have control, over the thing being cooked.
· Peskin has been buying property at rock-bottom prices ahead of recovery.· The falling price will cause less corn to be offered and will simultaneously encourage consumers to buy more.· Converted whisky barrels like these can be bought at a reasonable price in most parts of the country.· You were all bought with a price.· When they sell their pubs, Virani will buy - at knockdown prices.· The achievement has been bought at a price.· Now the trick of course is to buy at the cheapest price or sell at the most expensive.· But much more of it is due to consumer-goods firms having encouraged shoppers to buy on price by bombarding them with special offers.
· They enlighten us on the mystery, we are grateful to them, we trust them and then we buy their product.· But with audiences in the millions, enough people see the commercials and buy enough products to make the system work.· Women think: buy the product, look like that.· That means Chantal could have been placed in the position of buying back product, thus converting revenue to inventory.· Around 100 companies all over Britain are giving away Air Miles vouchers to customers who buy their products and services.· Even recently, fat-free snack manufacturers have had a problem: People would buy the products, but only once.· The public who buy these products from a supermarket often imagine that they are the customers.· I.. Because all meat and poultry must be inspected, the consumer expects to buy only wholesome products.
· Another useful feature is the price guide to London properties that tells you at a glance where you can afford to buy.· Heavy buying of utility and property issues led the surge.· Peskin has been buying property at rock-bottom prices ahead of recovery.· His son bought the property in 1985.· The council had no legal obligation to buy back the property and previous repurchases were virtually unheard of.· He also made investments of his own, buying property and condominiums.· The Fowlers claim just 3 weeks after he bought the property, Mr Mackarness had applied for planning permission.· If you are buying a property, then always try to maximise your resale potential.
· He went into the shop and bought it for the first price the man quoted to him.· Where was the chemist's shop to buy a tube of sun-tan lotion or a sticking plaster?· But her enthusiasm was swiftly dampened by a visit to a curio shop, where she bought several overpriced souvenirs.· The shoe shop next door is bought out by a firm of metal welders.· A customer walked into the shop and bought the shoes.· In fact it was from Vic Furlong's shop that David bought his first saxaphone.· Soo ran out of the shop to buy food.
· They could not buy tickets in advance, so they queue like docile cattle.· Now you have to find an airfare and buy a ticket.· He bought a ticket to Port au Prince.· But your guests will have to buy park admission tickets.· From Thursday gold card members can buy tickets the standing price is £7.· Advised by doctors to recuperate in a warm and dry climate, he bought a ticket to Los Angeles.· Nevertheless, in accordance with the regulations of the shipping company, they had all been obliged to buy return tickets.· When should you buy an airline ticket?
VERB· Another useful feature is the price guide to London properties that tells you at a glance where you can afford to buy.· Many smaller companies simply can not afford to buy health insurance for employees and remain in business.· If you can only afford to buy a certain amount of organic produce, potatoes would be a good choice.· Even if his family could have afforded to buy one, they could not have found a ready source.· Sometimes you can get it, but they make it too expensive so you can't afford to buy it.· They reach too frequently the people who could easily afford to buy their own.· Let's face it, Miranda, not many people of your age can afford to buy a house like this.· Until then, availability of super-computers was limited to military researchers and others who could afford to buy time on them.
· If Brian agrees to buy the car, then changes his mind, can he withdraw his acceptance?· Reynolds also agreed to buy Anderson a $ 1. 3 million home and pay her attorney fees.· My father thought the sentence unjust because he had only agreed to buy a few bottles of bootleg whisky.· A panel of households was recruited, all of which agreed to buy their tea through the research firm for three months.· Alltel agreed to buy about 3, 600 of Citizens' phone lines in Pennsylvania for about $ 10 million.· Saur has agreed in principle to buy out its partner to produce closer ties with its other operation, Cambrian Environmental Services.· Kimberly-Clark Corp. agreed to buy rival Scott Paper Co.
· A developer trying to buy up a site in a city comes across an owner who charges a ridiculously high price.· Unaware the store was temporarily closed, she had come downtown Thursday trying to buy a jacket for her husband.· Both trying to buy and trying to sell a property can have fundamental implications for most people's financial situation.· Opponents claim the millionaire publisher is trying to buy votes with his fat checkbook.· I tried to buy it, but the guy wasn't interested.· Napster Inc. tried to buy time with a series of legal appeals ahead of the hearing by U.S.· I commanded him to try and buy a George Paston.· I tried to buy tickets, but the situation was horrendous with the scalpers.
· I bought something he wanted, and he bought something I wanted.· When stocks are high, they want to buy.· What was beyond him to understand was why any man in his right mind would want to buy.· Workers should be producing what people want to buy.· Anyone wanting to buy a copy, only 100 were printed and of these twenty were sold on the day of publication.· Most think anyone who wants to buy a gun should have to attend a clinic on proper use.· I didn't want to buy a new one in Sweetmary.· They have managed to sell some of the statues though I can't think who'd want to buy them.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► buy off-plan► buy somebody/something ↔ out► buy something at the cost/expense/price of something► somebody bought itPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► buy/own something outright► be sold a pup/buy a pup
1a)[intransitive, transitive] to get something by paying money for it OPP sell: - But others want to limit Washington's ability to buy its way out of its domestic obligations.
- But the financing was also put to questionable use -- to buy the district out of an operating deficit.
- From the time she had bought the tickets out of her savings she had not been entirely free of fear.
- I bought a candle out of necessity.
- She soon realises that her power over men can be used to buy her way out of the kitchen.
- But he bought himself family time and independence.
- Jack tipped him five and got behind the wheel of his Lincoln, which he was buying on time.
- Meanwhile, their opponents are busy taking out newspaper advertisements, buying air time and working the telephones.
- Obviously, you only score the points of any player you buy from the time you get him.
- The advantages are that it can be bought at any time, changed without penalty and fully refunded.
- The diversion bought him some time.
- There would be water from the sink to quench his thirst, and that would buy him some time.
- Why did they buy at that time?
- Also, with bulk buying you save a lot of time by not having to order each resistor and capacitor individually.
- He and other outlets routinely open bulk orders of booster packs, then sell individual rare cards over the counter.
- In the 1980s you can not survive in a small business unless you are part of a bulk buying organization.
- It might also be worthwhile buying packs of d.i.l. integrated circuit holders, or bulk buying the smaller types.
- One reason: Cellular services that buy phones from Motorola have demanded ever-lower prices for their bulk orders.
- This is available from us free of charge in bulk orders and I hope you will consider taking some for distribution.
- Each receives some kind of government stipend, and Harry talks his way into a computer job while Kate does laundry.
- Forbes' rivals have accused him of buying his way into the race.
- Now nationalised and backed by government money, the firm may buy its way into video technology and markets.
- The adventurers could fight, but it would be safer to try and talk their way past.
- The family - without plane tickets and passports - had to talk their way past airport officials on their homeward journey.
- They bought their way into the landed aristocracy.
- You should be able to buy your way into any Mystery you choose with that.
Where did you buy that dress? Ricky showed her the painting he’d bought that morning.buy somebody something Let me buy you a drink.buy something for somebody/something The money will be used to buy equipment for the school.buy (something) from somebody It’s cheaper to buy direct from the manufacturer.buy something for $10/£200 etc Dan bought the car for $2,000. It’s much cheaper to buy in bulk (=buy large quantities of something). b)[transitive] if a sum of money buys something, it is enough to pay for it: $50 doesn’t buy much these days.buy somebody something $15 should buy us a pizza and a drink.2buy (somebody) time to deliberately make more time for yourself to do something, for example by delaying a decision: ‘Can we talk about it later?’ he said, trying to buy a little more time.3[transitive] informal to believe something that someone tells you, especially when it is not likely to be true: ‘Let’s just say it was an accident.’ ‘He’ll never buy that.’4[transitive] informal to pay money to someone, especially someone in a position of authority, in order to persuade them to do something dishonest SYN bribe: People say the judge had been bought by the Mafia.5buy something at the cost/expense/price of something to get something that you want, but only by losing something else: The town has been careful not to buy prosperity at the expense of its character.6somebody bought it old-fashioned informal someone was killed7buy off-plan if you buy property off-plan, you buy a house, flat etc that is just starting to be built, with an arrangement to pay part of the cost of the property at that time and the balance when the property is finishedTHESAURUSbuy to pay money for something so that you can own it: · I’ve just bought a new car.· The painting was bought by a museum in New York.purchase formal to buy something, especially something large or expensive, in a business deal or by a legal contract: · They purchased 5,000 acres of land.acquire formal to become the owner of something large or expensive such as property, a company, or a valuable object: · In 2007 the business was acquired by a Dutch company.· Television companies were then allowed to acquire more stations.get especially spoken to buy something, especially ordinary things such as food, clothes, or things for your house: · Did you remember to get some bread?· I never know what to get Dad for his birthday.snap something up informal to buy something immediately, especially because it is very cheap, or because you want it very much and you are worried that someone else might buy it first: · Real estate in the area is being snapped up by developers.pick something up informal to buy something, especially something ordinary such as food or a newspaper, or something that you have found by chance and are pleased about owning: · Could you pick up some milk on your way home?· It’s just a little thing I picked up when I was in Kathmandu.stock up to buy a lot of something you use regularly, because you may not be able to buy it later, or because you are planning to use more of it than usual: · The supermarkets are full of people stocking up for the New Year’s holiday.· We always stock up on cheap wine when we go to France.· Before the blizzard, we stocked up on food.splash out British English informal, splurge American English informal to buy something you would not usually buy, because it is too expensive, in order to celebrate an event or make yourself feel good: · Why don’t you splash out on a new dress for the party?· We splurged on an expensive hotel for the last night of the vacation.buy something ↔ in phrasal verb to buy something in large quantities: Companies are buying in supplies of paper, in case the price goes up.buy into something phrasal verb1informal to accept that an idea is right and allow it to influence you: I never bought into this idea that you have to be thin to be attractive.2to buy part of a business or organization, especially because you want to control it: Investors were invited to buy into state-owned enterprises.buy somebody ↔ off phrasal verb to pay someone money to stop them causing trouble or threatening you SYN bribebuy out phrasal verb1 buy somebody/something ↔ out to buy someone’s share of a business or property that you previously owned together, so that you have complete control → buyout2buy somebody out of something to pay money so that someone can leave an organization such as the army before their contract has endedbuy something ↔ up phrasal verb to quickly buy as much of something as possible, for example land, tickets, or goods: Much of the land was bought up by property developers.buy1 verbbuy2 noun
buybuy2 noun [countable, usually singular] EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- He made a similar buy Monday.
- If available and if priced right, it will be a good buy.
- It was not a rational buy.
- Powell felt both clubs were impetuous buys which Virgin could ill-afford at a time when it was struggling out of recession.
- Salomon Brothers raised the disk-drive concern to strong buy from buy.
Longman Language Activatorto buy something
to pay money for something so that you can own it: · I bought a new dress today at Macy's.· John makes his living buying and selling used cars.· The painting was bought by a museum in New York.buy somebody something: · Keith was going to buy me a ring, but now he says he wants to buy me a watch instead.buy something for somebody: · If you don't have enough money for the pen, I'll buy it for you.buy something from somebody: · I wouldn't buy anything from him - I don't trust him.buy something for $10/£200 etc: · The ranch, which was originally bought for $20,000, is now valued at over $2 million.
especially spoken to buy something, especially ordinary things such as food, clothes, or things for your house: · Let me get the drinks. It's my turn to pay.· Did you remember to get the bread?get somebody something: · Guess what he got her for her birthday - an iron!get something for somebody: · I'm going to get one of those video games for Hillary.get something for £20/$50 etc: · What do you think of this leather jacket? I got it for $40 on sale.
formal to buy something - used in business and legal contracts: · Foreign investors are not permitted to purchase land.· If this product does not give complete satisfaction, please return it to the manufacturer stating when and where it was purchased.
to buy something immediately, especially because it is very cheap or you want it very much, and you are worried that someone else might buy it first: snap up something: · Readers have snapped up nearly 200,000 copies of the book.· The best bargains tend to be snapped up immediately.snap something up: · If you see one for under $100, snap it up!
to buy something that you have found by chance, especially something that is unusually cheap: pick up something: · He's hoping to pick up a few bargains at the sales.· It's just a little thing I picked up when I was in Kathmandu.pick something up: · That picture? Oh, I picked it up last week at a little shop downtown.
British splurge (on something) American to buy something you want such as an expensive meal, dress etc, which you would not usually buy because it is too expensive: · We splashed out on a bottle of champagne to celebrate her promotion.· Let's splurge and have the steak.
formal to become the owner of something such as land, a company, or a valuable object: · In 1998 the business was acquired by a Dutch company.· The statue was acquired at great expense by the City Corporation.· Robinson spent $20 million to acquire the symphony hall.
to buy a lot of something · You've been buying a lot of clothes recently. Have you decided to change your image?· We've bought lots of food and drink, so it should be a really good party.
to buy a large quantity of something you use regularly because you may not be able to buy it later, or because you are planning to use more of it than usual: · The supermarkets are full of people stocking up for the New Year's holiday.· We might as well stock up while we're here - it'll save us having to come back.stock up on: · We always stock up on cheap cigarettes when we go to Holland.
to buy a large quantity of something, especially because it is cheaper to buy a lot of it at one time: · We always buy in bulk. It is so much more economical.· Today more shoppers are using coupons and buying items in bulk.bulk buying (=buying goods in large quantities): · Bulk buying has enabled the company to cut costs.
if you buy something wholesale , you buy a large quantity of it directly from the company that makes it: · Mark buys the earrings wholesale and then sells them for a profit.· Let's see if we can get them wholesale and save ourselves a few dollars.
to quickly buy all of something such as land, tickets, food etc, when there is only a limited amount available: buy up something: · In the last five years development agencies have bought up almost all the land in the area.buy something up: · There weren't any good seats left for the game - some big company had bought them all up.
to buy goods from another country to be sold, used etc in your country, especially in large quantities: · The United States has to import some of its oil.import something from something: · Most of the wines served in this restaurant are imported from France.
British to buy enough of something to last for a long time, for example because it may be difficult to buy later: buy in something: · People had to buy in candles during the electricity strike.buy something in: · Villagers join together to buy enough food in to last throughout the winter.
to buy something for someone else to buy something such as a meal for someone because you like them or you want to celebrate something: · As it's your birthday, I thought I'd treat you.treat somebody to something: · Glen treated Cathy to dinner at one of the best restaurants in town.
spoken use this to say that you will pay for drinks, food etc or that a particular person will pay for them : · Don't worry about the price - this meal's on me.be on the house (=the bar or restaurant you are in will pay for your meal, drinks etc): · The manager apologized and told us our drinks would be on the house for the rest of the evening.
to buy a drink for everyone in the group that you are with, in a place which sells alcoholic drinks: · I'll get this round. What would you like?· Jack always leaves when it's his turn to buy a round.
to go to shops in order to buy things to go to shops to look at and buy things: · Let's meet in town. We can have lunch and go shopping.· I'm going shopping now. Do you want anything?
to go to shops in order to buy the things that you need regularly such as food: · On Saturdays we usually do the shopping and clean the house.· She sent her husband out to do the week's shopping.do my/your etc shopping: · I did all my shopping yesterday.grocery shopping American (=shopping for food): · We need to go grocery shopping - do you have the check book?
British go to the store American to go out to the local shop or shops in order to buy something, especially the things that you need regularly such as food: · "Where's Julie?'' "She's gone to the shops.''· If you go to the store, could you get some milk?· Mr Parker, my next-door neighbour, is getting old and I sometimes go to the shops for him.
to regularly use a particular shop , especially to buy things that you need regularly such as food: shop at/in: · I usually shop at Safeway. It's just around the corner from my house.· When she moved here, she had never shopped in a supermarket before.
to go to several different shops comparing goods and their prices before deciding which ones to buy: · If you shop around you could probably get the camera a lot cheaper.shop around for: · I spent a couple of weeks shopping around for the lowest insurance rates.
when you look at things in shop windows without intending to buy anything: · We spent the morning window shopping at all the antique stores.
someone who buys goods or services someone who buys goods from a particular shop, restaurant, or company: · We don't get many customers on Mondays - Saturday is our busiest day.· The barman was serving the last customer of the evening.· Ford has launched a big sales campaign in an effort to bring in new customers.biggest customer (=the customer who buys the most goods): · The Defense Department is one of Lockheed's biggest regular customers.
the people in a shop or town who are buying things: · The streets were crowded with Christmas shoppers.
someone who pays for services or advice from a professional person or organization: · Mr Langston normally meets with clients in the afternoon.· Elkins assured the judge that neither of his clients had a criminal record.· The firm is one of our oldest clients - we don't want to lose them.
someone who buys something expensive such as a house, company, or painting, usually from another person, not a shop or company: · We couldn't find a buyer for our house, so we weren't able to move after all.· They've had a lot of enquiries about the company - there's no shortage of potential buyers.
someone who buys and uses goods and services - use this especially to talk about people who buy things in general: · Consumers are demanding more environmentally friendly products.· The consumer is interested in high quality goods, not just low prices.
the people who regularly use a particular shop, restaurant etc, or the services of a professional person: · The hotel's clientele includes diplomats and Hollywood celebrities.· Madame Zara caters for a very select clientele.
the number of people who want to buy a product, or the type of people who want to buy it: · The magazine is aimed at the youth market.· Without research we can't be sure of the size of our market or even who our market is.market for: · The market for Internet-based products has grown dramatically in recent years.
when you get something for a good price to be worth the price that you pay, especially a price that is not high: · The meals at Charlie's Pizza are really good value.be a good value American: · The CD-ROM encyclopedia is a good value because the printed encyclopedia set sells for twice as much.
especially British if something that is being sold is value for money , it is worth the price that you pay - use this about something that is fairly cheap but is of a reasonable standard or quality: be (good) value for money: · Sainsbury's cookbooks are generally considered to be value for money.· There's a special ticket that means you can see six concerts, which is definitely good value for money.get value for money (=get something that is worth the price you paid): · The show was less than one hour long and we didn't really get value for money.
something that is a good buy is worth the price you pay for it, because it is not expensive but is still good: · The Brazilian white wine is a good buy at only $2.99 a bottle.· College officials insist that higher education is a good buy despite rising tuition costs.
if something is a good deal , it is worth the price you pay, because it includes a lot of additional things or services: be a good/excellent/great etc deal: · The price of the holiday includes free use of the tennis courts, the pool, and the gym. It's a very good deal.give somebody a good deal: · They gave me a really good deal on my camera.get a good deal: · Cowpland said he was willing to buy the company if he got a good deal.
something that costs a lot less than you expect or a lot less than it usually costs: · Did you get any bargains at the market?· I got this shirt when I was in Indonesia. It was a real bargain.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The wine is a good buy at $6.50. It’s worth shopping around for the best buy (=what you want at the lowest price).COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES They bought the freehold of their house. We bought the carpets on HP. I got a used video camera for £300 – it would have cost £1,000 if I’d bought it new. We got most of our furniture second hand.
The wine is a good buy at $6.50. It’s worth shopping around for the best buy (=what you want at the lowest price).· Tom rented an apartment at the top of the building.
· This remains a bargain buy at £3.99.
· They bought all their furniture on credit.
(=in a pub or a bar)· It’s my turn to buy you a drink.
· I had planned to buy a flat with Geraldine.
They bought the freehold of their house. (=the kinds of things you buy regularly)· The recession will mean that many people will be changing their spending habits.
· We bought this house when Liam was just a baby.
We bought the carpets on HP. (=buying something without having planned it)· She admitted that the necklace had been an impulse buy.
· You can buy insurance against risks of all kinds.
· He bought the chairs on the Internet.
I got a used video camera for £300 – it would have cost £1,000 if I’d bought it new. (=arrange it)· People with children should take out a life insurance policy.
(also get somebody a present informal)· I want to buy a present for Lucy but I’m not sure what she’d like.· Did you get Bill a birthday present?
· Buying a property is a complicated business.
We got most of our furniture second hand.· I bought some shares in British Gas five years ago.
· Sheila bought a ticket for the next flight home.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· The consignors then shopped the piece around, and Washington dealer Guy Bush got a very good buy indeed as a consequence.· In the meantime, he has created a persona called the Fashion Director, who recommends good buys.· Room-size roll ends are always a good buy.· Properly priced, chicken wings and backs are good buys.· The table below shows a selection of best buys.· Retail cuts at special prices, to be frozen in the home freezer, offer opportunities for good buys.· When properly priced, the chicken parts are as good buys as the whole chicken.
· He slashed his rating from strong buy to reduce, and cut his target from Dollars 60 to Dollars 14.· Salomon Brothers raised the disk-drive concern to strong buy from buy.· An analyst at Salomon Brothers Inc. upgraded the rating on the computer maker to strong buy from buy.· That would be a fairly strong buy signal.· Brown & Sons Inc. lowered the rating on the software developer to buy from strong buy.
· The 1994 Sonoma County cabernet, a slightly better buy at $ 16, was a tad less well-integrated.· If medium eggs are priced at 70 cents or less they are a better buy.
VERB· My date gets out of the car to go buy popcorn while I fix up the speaker.· If I had any class at all, I would get up from this desk and go buy bagels.
· It is prone to shrinking and should be pre-shrunk during the manufacture to make it a good buy.· He made a similar buy Monday.· If the current share price is 4.00, would you expect your adviser to make a buy, hold or sell recommendation?
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► buy/own something outright► be sold a pup/buy a pup
1something that is worth buying, because it is cheap, good quality, or likely to gain in valuea good/excellent etc buy- Also, with bulk buying you save a lot of time by not having to order each resistor and capacitor individually.
- He and other outlets routinely open bulk orders of booster packs, then sell individual rare cards over the counter.
- In the 1980s you can not survive in a small business unless you are part of a bulk buying organization.
- It might also be worthwhile buying packs of d.i.l. integrated circuit holders, or bulk buying the smaller types.
- One reason: Cellular services that buy phones from Motorola have demanded ever-lower prices for their bulk orders.
- This is available from us free of charge in bulk orders and I hope you will consider taking some for distribution.
- Each receives some kind of government stipend, and Harry talks his way into a computer job while Kate does laundry.
- Forbes' rivals have accused him of buying his way into the race.
- Now nationalised and backed by government money, the firm may buy its way into video technology and markets.
- The adventurers could fight, but it would be safer to try and talk their way past.
- The family - without plane tickets and passports - had to talk their way past airport officials on their homeward journey.
- They bought their way into the landed aristocracy.
- You should be able to buy your way into any Mystery you choose with that.
The wine is a good buy at $6.50. It’s worth shopping around for the best buy (=what you want at the lowest price).2informal an act of buying something, especially something illegal SYN deal