cheap1 adjectivecheap2 adverbcheap3 noun
cheapcheap1 /tʃiːp/ ●●● S1 W2 adjective (comparative cheaper, superlative cheapest) 
WORD ORIGINcheap1
Origin:
1500-1600 good cheap ‘at a good price, cheaply’, from cheap ‘trade, price’ (11-18 centuries), from Old English ceapEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Cheaper production facilities have helped boost profits.
- a cheap leather jacket
- Hungry-looking men in cheap suits hung around the streets all day.
- I bought the cheapest computer I could find.
- It's cheaper to phone after six o'clock.
- My flight to Reno was really cheap.
- My shoes were really cheap - they only cost $15.
- Oh look -- a present from Rob. I bet it's another bottle of cheap perfume.
- The cheapest way to get to Chicago is to take the bus.
- The girls wore bright frilly dresses and were drenched in cheap perfume.
- The hotel room was very small, with cheap furniture and a bumpy bed.
- The interior of the car is all plastic and has a cheap look about it.
- The outlet mall is a lot cheaper than stores downtown.
- The room was depressing, with dim light and cheap furniture.
- The tourist shops were full of cheap souvenirs.
- Uncle Matt was really cheap - he used to stay with us for weeks, and he never paid for anything.
- Who brought the nasty cheap beer?
- Wooden houses are relatively cheap to build.
- A smart suit with cheap uncomfortable shoes generally reveals a man posing above his station.
- Green Bay players complained that the Cowboys are taught to apply cheap shots.
- Richard Branson's Virgin Records, for instance, grew and diversified, including a successful foray into cheap transatlantic flights.
- The simplest and cheapest way of photographing a slide or peel is to use it as a photographic negative.
- Then they both walked into an alley between a small pentecostal church and a rat-eaten shack advertising cheap tires.
- This makes women cheaper to dismiss and makes them more vulnerable to redundancy.
THESAURUS
costing very little money, or less than you expected: · My shoes were really cheap – they only cost £25.· The cheapest way to get to Chicago is to take the bus.· cheap flights
low prices, rents, and fees do not cost a lot of money. Do not use cheap with these words: · Why is the share price so low?· You could get equally good accommodation elsewhere at a lower rent.
especially written not expensive – use this especially about things that are of good quality, even though they do not cost a lot: · The furniture is inexpensive, but well made.· a simple inexpensive meal· a hotel that offers air-conditioned rooms at relatively inexpensive prices
a reasonable price seems fair because it is not too high: · The restaurant serves good food at reasonable prices.· Only £25 a night? That sounds reasonable.
cheap because you do not need to use a lot of money or fuel: · an economical car· It is usually more economical to buy in large quantities.
cheap enough for most people to be able to buy or pay for: · affordable housing· Single mothers often have trouble finding affordable childcare.· The shop sells designer fashions at affordable prices.
competitive prices and rates are as low as those charged by other shops or companies: · I think you’ll find our prices are extremely competitive.· The hotel offers a high standard of service at very competitive rates.
[only before noun] budget flights, airlines, hotels etc have especially low prices: · You can get a budget flight to Amsterdam for only £19.· a list of budget hotels for under $50 a night· budget accommodation for families with young children
to be worth at least the price you pay for it, so that you feel pleased and think you have spent your money well: · The meals at Charlie’s Pizza are really good value.· The holiday is great value for money.
informal to be extremely cheap: · I got this shirt when I was in Indonesia. It was a real bargain.
Longman Language Activatornot costing much money something that is cheap costs very little money, or costs less than you expected: · My shoes were really cheap - they only cost $15.· The cheapest way to get to Chicago is to take the bus.it is cheap to do something: · It's cheaper to phone after six o'clock.relatively cheap (=cheap compared with other things): · Wooden houses are relatively cheap to build.
not expensive - use this especially about things that are of good quality, even though they do not cost a lot: · The furniture is inexpensive but well-made.· a simple, inexpensive meal· Beans and lentils are an inexpensive source of protein.relatively inexpensive (=not expensive compared to something similar): · a hotel that offers air-conditioned rooms at relatively inexpensive prices
especially spoken to not be expensive: · We stayed in a very nice hotel in Vienna and it didn't cost much.it doesn't cost much to do something: · It doesn't cost much to rent an apartment here.
cheap to use or cheap to do - use this about cars, machines, or ways of doing things that do not waste money, fuel etc: · We have a very economical heating system, so the bills aren't too high.be economical to use/run/operate: · This is a well-designed car that is also very economical to run.it is more economical to do something: · It's more economical to buy the big packet - it's only 50p more than the small one.
cheap enough for most people to be able to buy: · Single mothers often have trouble finding affordable child care.· We have a vast range of cars to choose from at affordable prices.
: low-cost housing/heating/transport etc intended to be cheap to use, buy, rent etc: · If you want low-cost transport and regular exercise, a bike is ideal.· If elected, he promised to build more low-cost housing in the city.· The US is giving low-cost loans to help under-developed countries in the region.
especially written if a product is low in price , it is cheap to buy: · Nikon's latest camera is low in price and easy to use.· The "Pocket-Pack" range of toys are very low in price and will provide hours of pleasure for the kids.
: low-budget film/movie/ production etc one that has been made very cheaply: · My first acting job was in a low-budget horror movie with a terrible plot.
: budget hotel/flight/accommodation etc budget hotels, flights etc are very low in price: · The Tourist Information Office will give you a list of budget hotels in the area.
spoken use this to say that you have enough money to buy or do something, and you should buy or do it: · "I'm not sure if I should buy this suit.'' "Come on! It won't break the bank!''without breaking the bank (=without having to pay a lot of money): · This guide lists 900 of the best places in which to eat without breaking the bank.
cheap but bad in quality something that is cheap does not cost much, and is clearly of bad quality: · The tourist shops were full of cheap souvenirs.· The hotel room was very small, with cheap furniture and a bumpy bed.· Oh look -- a present from Rob. I bet it's another bottle of cheap perfume.
British furniture, jewellery, or clothes that are cheap and nasty look cheap and of very bad quality: · What do you think of these bracelets? They look really cheap and nasty to me.· I don't like plastic shoes. They always seem cheap and nasty.
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.
not too expensive when compared to other prices reasonable prices seem fair because they are not too high: · They sell good-quality computer equipment at reasonable prices.· Only £15 a night? That sounds reasonable.
as low as or lower than the prices charged by other shops or companies: · I think you'll find our prices are extremely competitive.· The hotel offers a high standard of service at very competitive rates.
very cheap informal extremely cheap: · You can get beautiful leather jackets in the markets and they're dirt cheap.
British informal /be a steal American informal to be extremely cheap at a particular price: · She says her new outfit was a steal.· The new computer package is a snip at only £599 plus tax.
also at giveaway prices British if a shop is selling goods at rockbottom prices or at giveaway prices , it is selling them at extremely low prices -- used especially in advertisements: · Fox Hi-Fi specialize in selling top quality CD players at rockbottom prices.· In our summer sale, we have clothes from top designers at giveaway prices.
· You can pick up video recorders for very little money if you know where to look.
especially American very cheaply: · We got the car for nothing because the woman wanted to get rid of it fast.
to reduce the price of something to make prices, charges etc lower: · There is a lot of pressure on electricity companies to reduce their prices.· The company needs to cut costs drastically if it's going to survive.· Unless they can reduce their prices, they will soon be unable to compete on the American market.reduce something by 10%/£20 etc: · Continental Airlines are to reduce fares by up to 10% in some areas.
informal to reduce the price of something that you are selling: · I expect if you ask him he'll knock a couple of pounds off.· Knock fifty bucks off and I'll buy it.
to be reduced in price -- use this about goods in shops: · Their prices are usually marked down after Christmas.· To celebrate the store's 100th anniversary, all merchandise has been marked down by 20 percent.
to reduce the price of something by a very large amount - used especially in news reports and advertisements: · Sony has slashed the price of its new CD player, the D50.· Final Sale. All prices slashed. Everything must go!slash something by 50%/£50/$100 etc: · British Airways have slashed fares by over 50%.
when the price has been reduced a time when a shop sells things more cheaply than usual: · There's going to be a sale at Macy's next week.· Amelia bought her jacket at a sale for twenty dollars.have a sale: · The bookstore across the street is having a sale.the sales British (=when a lot of shops sell things at reduced prices): · I got this coat for half price in the January sales.
American /in the sales British something that is on sale is being sold at a specially low price in a shop: · "How much was your jacket?'' "I got it on sale in Montgomery Wards. It only cost $45.''· His suit was bought in the sales for £100.go on sale: · I need a new pair of shoes but I want to wait until they go on sale.
goods that are reduced are being sold at a lower price than usual: · Everything is reduced because the store's closing down next month.reduced from ... to ...: · The CDs were reduced from $10 to $5.
if there is £1, $20, 10% etc off something, its usual price has been reduced by that amount: · 20% off all computers in Dixon's summer sale· We got $10 off the chair because it had a small mark on it.
a reduction in the price you pay for something, which is given for a special reason: get a discount (=pay less): · Do you get a discount if you pay in cash?discount on: · Workers at the store get a discount on books and records.30%/£50 etc discount: · There's a 30% discount on all electrical goods.at a discount (=at a reduced price): · Air UK are currently offering tickets to students at a special discount.
a very low price that a shop sells something for, in order to persuade more people to buy things there: · They've got a special offer for seniors -- five nights for the price of three.· Take advantage of our special offer between now and Oct 30 this year.
cut-price goods or services are sold at prices that are much lower than the usual price, either because they have been specially reduced or because they are being sold by someone who always sells things cheaply: · Tottenham Court Road is the best place for cut-price stereo equipment.· Fruit is fairly inexpensive in Japan because they buy cut-price oranges and apples from South Africa.
spoken if something is going cheap , it is being sold more cheaply than usual: · If they have any bicycle lamps going cheap, can you get me one?· Have a look in the travel agent's and see if there are any flights to Toronto going cheap.
a product that is sold at a low price for a short time -- used especially about food, drink, or meals: · Today's lunch special is smoked salmon with rice.on special American (=being sold as a special): · We have Bud beer 6-packs on special at $5.
to persuade someone to reduce the price of something to try to persuade someone to reduce the price of something by arguing with them about what it is worth: · If you go to a street market, you'd better be prepared to haggle.haggle over something: · The passenger haggled over the fare before she got into the taxi.haggle with somebody: · My mother used to spend hours haggling with the market traders.
to try to persuade someone to reduce the price of something by discussing it with them: · She bargained with the woman who was selling the plates and managed to get them for half the usual price.
to persuade someone to reduce the price of something by arguing with them about it: beat somebody down to $50/£20 etc: · The owners originally wanted $1000 for the horse, but George managed to beat them down to $850.beat somebody down: · I beat him down and got the bracelet for $2.
products that are badly made or of bad quality poor quality products have been made badly: · Poor quality housing often leads to health problems.be of poor quality: · Investigators believe the bridge collapsed because the concrete was of poor quality.
low-quality products have been made badly: · It's not worth building with low-quality materials just to save money.· The company wants to change its image as a producer of low-cost, low-quality clothes.
made without care or skill: · Her clothes looked cheap and badly made.
cheap furniture, jewellery, clothes etc look unattractive and badly made, and seem to have been produced using low quality materials: · The room was depressing, with dim light and cheap furniture.· Hungry-looking men in cheap suits hung around the streets all day.
badly and cheaply made, using low quality materials: · You have a right to return any shoddy goods you might buy.shoddily made: · Police officials blamed the deaths on the shoddily made apartment building.
inferior products are not as good as other similar ones because they have been cheaply and badly made: · Consumers buy foreign goods because they believe that British-made goods are inferior.· I want the best -- I don't want some inferior model that's going to break down the first time I use it.
someone who hates spending money not generous with your money, even though you are not poor: · Don't be so stingy! It's your turn to buy me a drink.· It's no use asking him - he's too stingy to give money to charity.
British someone who is mean does not like spending money or sharing what they have with other people: · Rick's so mean he never even buys his wife a birthday present.· My father was a mean old man who resented every penny he spent on us.
American, especially spoken someone who is cheap does not like spending money, and always tries to avoid spending it: · Uncle Matt was really cheap - he used to stay with us for weeks, and he never paid for anything.
informal not generous with money - use this about people who annoy you because they have money but do not like spending it: · He was known to have made a fortune on the stock market, but was nonetheless notoriously tight-fisted.
someone who hates spending money, and prefers to save as much as possible - use this especially about someone who has collected a lot of money by doing this: · Mr Henny was a miser who had thousands of pounds hidden away under his bed.
something that has not been made or chosen with good taste not made or chosen with good taste: · It was an ugly room with tasteless decorations and shabby furniture.· I think a lot of modern architecture is completely tasteless.
not chosen with taste - use this about things that cost a lot of money or are very brightly coloured, and are bought to impress people: · Vulgar fashions filled the store windows.· The article describes the vulgar excesses of the newly rich.
unattractive, of poor quality, and showing a lack of good taste: · The interior of the car is all plastic and has a cheap look about it.· The girls wore bright frilly dresses and were drenched in cheap perfume.
British informal use this about something that you think shows very bad taste: · Most people think taking a package holiday in Bognor is really naff.· Don't wear that shirt with those slacks -- it looks naff.
informal cheap-looking and showing very bad taste: · cheap, tacky furniture in bright colors· The room was decorated to look like a cartoon Swiss village, but managed to be cheerfully tacky.
cheap, unfashionable, and showing very bad taste, but often in an amusing way: · the kitschy decor of the Mexican restaurant· Tourists lined up to buy postcards and assorted kitsch souvenirs.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
The equipment is relatively cheap and simple to use. This coat was dirt cheap (=very cheap - an informal expression) The furniture looked cheap and nasty. a cheap imitation of the real thing Gas appliances are usually cheaper to run than electric ones. For the employer, a part-time workforce means a cheap labour supply. His remark was a cheap shot at short people. another cheap political stunt It was nothing but a cheap trick (=unkind trick).COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES It’s a lovely coat, and I managed to get it cheap in the sales. He bought me some CDs which were going cheap (=were being sold at a low price). a market stall selling cheap and nasty watches
The equipment is relatively cheap and simple to use. This coat was dirt cheap (=very cheap - an informal expression) British English (=simple and not expensive, but of reasonable quality) a cheap and cheerful Italian restaurant
a cheap and cheerful Italian restaurant The furniture looked cheap and nasty. a cheap imitation of the real thing Gas appliances are usually cheaper to run than electric ones. For the employer, a part-time workforce means a cheap labour supply. His remark was a cheap shot at short people. another cheap political stunt It was nothing but a cheap trick (=unkind trick).· A take-away is a cheap alternative to eating out.
· Environmental groups are calling for an end to cheap flights.
It’s a lovely coat, and I managed to get it cheap in the sales. He bought me some CDs which were going cheap (=were being sold at a low price).· Farmers are complaining about cheap imports flooding the market.
(=workers who have low wages)· Women and children were used as cheap labour.
(=with a low interest rate)· Homebuyers are eager to take advantage of the cheap mortgages on offer.
a market stall selling cheap and nasty watches· We urgently need to find a cheaper option than oil or gas.
· He bought her a bottle of expensive French perfume.
· He took her out to an expensive restaurant.
disapproving (=excitement that you can get easily or without much effort)· Young people go to the big city in search of cheap thrills.
(=be expensive or cheap) If we go by taxi, it’s going to work out very expensive.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB If we go by taxi, it’s going to work out very expensive.· Use the public booths in town where it's much cheaper.· Also I didn't have much money, and barn owls are much cheaper than a lot of birds of prey.· It made it so much cheaper, worthless even.· I tried to get them repaired, but was told that it would be much cheaper to buy replacements.· It would be much cheaper, he added, than promoting policies to create new industries in the region.· It is much cheaper and easier to treat residents as passive and incapable.· Strained fences of up to ten strands of high-tensile steel wire can be much cheaper for very long, straight runs.· You can also use them for blocking gaps between skirting boards and floor - it's much cheaper than wood beading.
· Even if wages are relatively cheap, electricity is not.· We're talking relatively cheap mega-acres of land and the use of mass-production techniques.· However, the very fact that they are mass-produced and relatively cheap means that they are too frequently seen.· Local newspapers are widely read and relatively cheap to advertise in.· The equipment is relatively cheap and simple to use.· It's relatively cheap and currently much is wasted by flare-off at extraction.· As yet the land is still relatively cheap.· The premium is again relatively cheap, depending on the extent of cover, and varies from about £3 to £10.
· It's just that I feel so cheap.· It was so cheap in exertion, so productive in humiliation.· In microchip territory, silicon has always been king because it remains so cheap and easy to use.· They were so cheap that, even with the cost of smuggling them west, Kurzlinger could make a huge profit.· How can life be so cheap?· I have not had a cup of tea since I came here, as the coffee is so cheap and good.· Getting laid has never been so cheap in all history.
· As a result, pencils were easy to make and very cheap to produce.· Our stuff was incredibly ugly, shot on video and very cheap.· You see, it starts off very cheap.· The whole exercise is very cheap.· It is a large subject, much in demand, and is very cheap to teach.· In fact garden centre granite would do, and is very cheap.· In terms of effectiveness for points costs volley guns are very cheap, so shed no tears if you lose one.
NOUN· It's touted as the cheaper alternative to Photoshop, and is snapping at the heels of the industry benchmark.· Arbitration has traditionally been seen as a cheaper alternative to lawsuits because legal costs are lower.· The catsuit in the picture above costs a cool £1,760, but it isn't impossible to find cheaper alternatives.· Home entertainment is the cheap alternative, right?· Pre-coating clean brander plates with a proprietary release water soluble barrier film is a cheaper alternative.· A cheaper alternative is to take your own small rucksack.· The clinical grading structure is such that enrolled nurses should never now be considered as a cheaper alternative.· Can we develop simple and cheap alternatives to over-exploitation?
· But we have to accept the blame ourselves, because we have institutionalised the notion of cheap food.· The drive for cheap food has been behind every food catastrophe of the past decade.· But only the very cheapest food.· So why is cheap food given as the excuse for the farming crisis?· And if that is so, then we must consider the question: who pays for our cheap food?· Ordinary citizens tolerated corruption when times were good and when the government rewarded them with cheap food, services and petrol.· And in this vacuum of ignorance, terrible practices have been tolerated because they delivered the promise of cheap food.· To these may be added cheap food and tokens of improvement in our staple trade.
· The final blow for many firms was the government's abolition of import duties which resulted in a flood of cheap imports.· Farmers wary of increased competition from cheap imports also urged a ban.· Other leading drug wholesalers in Britain also surreptitiously buy cheap imports using specially-established subsidiary companies.· Without it, the gain is smaller and confined to the consumption benefit of cheaper imports.· It means cheaper imports, more pesetas for the pound, a stronger feelgood factor.· The developing countries are pressed to eliminate trade barriers, which can lead to local producers being undermined by cheaper imports.· Farmers complain about no-one buying their wine and cheap imports flooding the markets.
· Process technology moves around the globe to find the cheapest labor and the friendliest markets.· He proposes unspecified tariffs on imports from Third-World nations that depend on cheap labor.· The cheap labor was short-lived, however.
· An economist would say this is the market working: cheaper labour means more jobs.· This means the price of its cheap labour must be maintained.· One response to this decline in the dynamism of Fordism was the geographical decentralization of production in search of cheaper labour.· It was a form of cheap labour.· It's not another source of free or cheap labour.· It provided employers with a cheap labour force.· A trend had already been set in textiles, where the comparative advantage of cheap labour was becoming important.
· Useful vegetarian cafe to know about, as the area is short on cheap options.· He has endorsed the cheaper option.· One energy mix simply chose the cheapest options for supplying energy - using entirely coal, oil and natural gas.· How much does it cost an employer to provide childcare facilities and what is the cheapest option?· Each has its advantages and disadvantages. internal modems are the cheapest option.· Carrying spare batteries could be a cheaper option to fast charging and all chargers rely on a power point anyway.· Even with an individual membership costing £750, it's not the cheapest option around.· If not, which will be the cheapest option from the three remaining methods?
· Now the trick of course is to buy at the cheapest price or sell at the most expensive.· Eventually their designs were appropriated for industrial production, which could be sold at cheaper prices.· The cheapest price he was offered was £730 third party fire and theft.· Selling short involves borrowing stock and then selling it, hoping to replace the shares at a cheaper price later.· Andy Parkes tells us how to get large fish at cheaper prices by growing them on.· And a cheap price it was, too, considering your box-office potential in the years ahead.· The Nisa store visited in Newcastle had the cheapest prices overall.· In many cases those imports are available at a cheaper price than within the Community.
· It would then switch itself on at a time when the electricity company has agreed it will get the cheapest rate.· Moreover, getting the cheapest rate depends on where you call, and, more importantly, when.· Calls cost 36p a minute, cheap rate, and 48p at all other times.· Dall was effectively trading money; he sought to borrow each day at the cheapest rates and lend at the highest.· Calls are charged at 36p per min cheap rate, 48p per min at all other times.· It enabled me to stay in my home of 30 years rather than move to a property with cheaper rates.· Or, asking your employer if you can change your hours of work so that you can take advantage of cheap rate travel.
· It was a cheap shot but an effective one.· Green Bay players complained that the Cowboys are taught to apply cheap shots.· He deserves better than to be criticised by gay activists with such a cheap shot.· Take cheap shots and distort facts in order to get ahead?· There is increased range flexibility, it is cheaper shot for shot and it leaves a much more saleable end-product.· Or, analysts say, it could be a cheap shot by an employee at an Apple competitor.
· Do yu tell yu friends how yu get yu cheap thrills?· Someday, even adolescent males may tire of the cheap thrills it provides, but that day has yet to come.· Bet you get a cheap thrill out of that sort of thing, don't you?· I had thrown away my chances in life, pawned them off for a few cheap thrills.· The insanity of one unites the sane majority, while the ghoul and the cynic get another cheap thrill.
· It is the simplest and cheapest way of injecting since there is generally a slurry tanker already on the farm.· Cleaning up road dust is one of the cheapest ways to reduce the pollutant.· What i-the cheapest way of lowering the gearing?· Though they had hoped for a cheap way to dominate Tonkin, the momentum of Rivieres operation propelled them forward.· That is the cheapest way of giving some co-ordination and colour to your home.· Foreign aid was often defended as a cheap way to buy anti-Communist troops.· Microlights have at last achieved what they set out to be: a largely reliable and relatively cheap way to fly.· But there is a growing consensus that there is no quick, painless or cheap way out of the morass.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► cheap at the price/at any price
1low price not at all expensive, or lower in price than you expected OPP expensive: - Bet you get a cheap thrill out of that sort of thing, don't you?
- Do yu tell yu friends how yu get yu cheap thrills?
- I had thrown away my chances in life, pawned them off for a few cheap thrills.
- Someday, even adolescent males may tire of the cheap thrills it provides, but that day has yet to come.
- The insanity of one unites the sane majority, while the ghoul and the cynic get another cheap thrill.
- There is a feeling in the housing projects that life is cheap.
cheap rail fares the cheapest TV on the market Property is cheaper in Spain than here. a cheap shop (=one that sells goods cheaply) The equipment is relatively cheap and simple to use. This coat was dirt cheap (=very cheap - an informal expression)cheap and cheerful British English (=simple and not expensive, but of reasonable quality) a cheap and cheerful Italian restaurant2bad quality low in price and quality: Cheap wine gives me a headache. cheap jewellery The furniture looked cheap and nasty. a cheap imitation of the real thing3not expensive to use not costing much to use or to employ SYN inexpensivecheap to run/use/maintain etc Gas appliances are usually cheaper to run than electric ones. For the employer, a part-time workforce means a cheap labour supply.4not deserving respect showing a lack of honesty, moral principles, or sincere feelings, so that you do not deserve respect: She felt cheap and stupid, like a naughty child caught stealing. You’re lying, aren’t you? You’re so cheap. His remark was a cheap shot at short people. another cheap political stunt It was nothing but a cheap trick (=unkind trick).5not generous American English not liking to spend money SYN mean British English: She’s too cheap to take a cab.6cheap thrill excitement that does not take much effort to get: Bella will sleep with anyone for a cheap thrill.7life is cheap used to say that it is not important if people die8 cheap at the price/at any price British English, cheap at twice the price so good, useful, or desirable that the cost is not important—cheaply adverb: a cheaply furnished room They lived as cheaply as possible.—cheapness noun [uncountable]: the relative cheapness of housingTHESAURUScheap costing very little money, or less than you expected: · My shoes were really cheap – they only cost £25.· The cheapest way to get to Chicago is to take the bus.· cheap flightslow low prices, rents, and fees do not cost a lot of money. Do not use cheap with these words: · Why is the share price so low?· You could get equally good accommodation elsewhere at a lower rent.inexpensive especially written not expensive – use this especially about things that are of good quality, even though they do not cost a lot: · The furniture is inexpensive, but well made.· a simple inexpensive meal· a hotel that offers air-conditioned rooms at relatively inexpensive pricesreasonable a reasonable price seems fair because it is not too high: · The restaurant serves good food at reasonable prices.· Only £25 a night? That sounds reasonable.economical cheap because you do not need to use a lot of money or fuel: · an economical car· It is usually more economical to buy in large quantities.affordable cheap enough for most people to be able to buy or pay for: · affordable housing· Single mothers often have trouble finding affordable childcare.· The shop sells designer fashions at affordable prices.competitive competitive prices and rates are as low as those charged by other shops or companies: · I think you’ll find our prices are extremely competitive.· The hotel offers a high standard of service at very competitive rates.budget [only before noun] budget flights, airlines, hotels etc have especially low prices: · You can get a budget flight to Amsterdam for only £19.· a list of budget hotels for under $50 a night· budget accommodation for families with young childrenbe good/great value to be worth at least the price you pay for it, so that you feel pleased and think you have spent your money well: · The meals at Charlie’s Pizza are really good value.· The holiday is great value for money.be a bargain informal to be extremely cheap: · I got this shirt when I was in Indonesia. It was a real bargain.COLLOCATIONS CHECKlow price/cost/rent/fee/chargereasonable price/costeconomical car/way/methodaffordable accommodation/housing/pricecompetitive price/ratebudget flight/airline/hotel/accommodationcheap1 adjectivecheap2 adverbcheap3 noun
cheapcheap2 adverb EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Old houses can sometimes be bought cheap and fixed up.
- That dress makes her look real cheap.
- You can buy electronic diaries fairly cheaply nowadays.
- And the Navy wants the vessel cheap -- by Pentagon standards at least.
- It won't come cheap, though.
Longman Language Activatornot costing much money
something that is cheap costs very little money, or costs less than you expected: · My shoes were really cheap - they only cost $15.· The cheapest way to get to Chicago is to take the bus.it is cheap to do something: · It's cheaper to phone after six o'clock.relatively cheap (=cheap compared with other things): · Wooden houses are relatively cheap to build.
not expensive - use this especially about things that are of good quality, even though they do not cost a lot: · The furniture is inexpensive but well-made.· a simple, inexpensive meal· Beans and lentils are an inexpensive source of protein.relatively inexpensive (=not expensive compared to something similar): · a hotel that offers air-conditioned rooms at relatively inexpensive prices
especially spoken to not be expensive: · We stayed in a very nice hotel in Vienna and it didn't cost much.it doesn't cost much to do something: · It doesn't cost much to rent an apartment here.
cheap to use or cheap to do - use this about cars, machines, or ways of doing things that do not waste money, fuel etc: · We have a very economical heating system, so the bills aren't too high.be economical to use/run/operate: · This is a well-designed car that is also very economical to run.it is more economical to do something: · It's more economical to buy the big packet - it's only 50p more than the small one.
cheap enough for most people to be able to buy: · Single mothers often have trouble finding affordable child care.· We have a vast range of cars to choose from at affordable prices.
: low-cost housing/heating/transport etc intended to be cheap to use, buy, rent etc: · If you want low-cost transport and regular exercise, a bike is ideal.· If elected, he promised to build more low-cost housing in the city.· The US is giving low-cost loans to help under-developed countries in the region.
especially written if a product is low in price , it is cheap to buy: · Nikon's latest camera is low in price and easy to use.· The "Pocket-Pack" range of toys are very low in price and will provide hours of pleasure for the kids.
: low-budget film/movie/ production etc one that has been made very cheaply: · My first acting job was in a low-budget horror movie with a terrible plot.
: budget hotel/flight/accommodation etc budget hotels, flights etc are very low in price: · The Tourist Information Office will give you a list of budget hotels in the area.
spoken use this to say that you have enough money to buy or do something, and you should buy or do it: · "I'm not sure if I should buy this suit.'' "Come on! It won't break the bank!''without breaking the bank (=without having to pay a lot of money): · This guide lists 900 of the best places in which to eat without breaking the bank.
cheap but bad in quality something that is cheap does not cost much, and is clearly of bad quality: · The tourist shops were full of cheap souvenirs.· The hotel room was very small, with cheap furniture and a bumpy bed.· Oh look -- a present from Rob. I bet it's another bottle of cheap perfume.
British furniture, jewellery, or clothes that are cheap and nasty look cheap and of very bad quality: · What do you think of these bracelets? They look really cheap and nasty to me.· I don't like plastic shoes. They always seem cheap and nasty.
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.
not too expensive when compared to other prices reasonable prices seem fair because they are not too high: · They sell good-quality computer equipment at reasonable prices.· Only £15 a night? That sounds reasonable.
as low as or lower than the prices charged by other shops or companies: · I think you'll find our prices are extremely competitive.· The hotel offers a high standard of service at very competitive rates.
very cheap informal extremely cheap: · You can get beautiful leather jackets in the markets and they're dirt cheap.
British informal /be a steal American informal to be extremely cheap at a particular price: · She says her new outfit was a steal.· The new computer package is a snip at only £599 plus tax.
also at giveaway prices British if a shop is selling goods at rockbottom prices or at giveaway prices , it is selling them at extremely low prices -- used especially in advertisements: · Fox Hi-Fi specialize in selling top quality CD players at rockbottom prices.· In our summer sale, we have clothes from top designers at giveaway prices.
· You can pick up video recorders for very little money if you know where to look.
especially American very cheaply: · We got the car for nothing because the woman wanted to get rid of it fast.
to reduce the price of something to make prices, charges etc lower: · There is a lot of pressure on electricity companies to reduce their prices.· The company needs to cut costs drastically if it's going to survive.· Unless they can reduce their prices, they will soon be unable to compete on the American market.reduce something by 10%/£20 etc: · Continental Airlines are to reduce fares by up to 10% in some areas.
informal to reduce the price of something that you are selling: · I expect if you ask him he'll knock a couple of pounds off.· Knock fifty bucks off and I'll buy it.
to be reduced in price -- use this about goods in shops: · Their prices are usually marked down after Christmas.· To celebrate the store's 100th anniversary, all merchandise has been marked down by 20 percent.
to reduce the price of something by a very large amount - used especially in news reports and advertisements: · Sony has slashed the price of its new CD player, the D50.· Final Sale. All prices slashed. Everything must go!slash something by 50%/£50/$100 etc: · British Airways have slashed fares by over 50%.
when the price has been reduced a time when a shop sells things more cheaply than usual: · There's going to be a sale at Macy's next week.· Amelia bought her jacket at a sale for twenty dollars.have a sale: · The bookstore across the street is having a sale.the sales British (=when a lot of shops sell things at reduced prices): · I got this coat for half price in the January sales.
American /in the sales British something that is on sale is being sold at a specially low price in a shop: · "How much was your jacket?'' "I got it on sale in Montgomery Wards. It only cost $45.''· His suit was bought in the sales for £100.go on sale: · I need a new pair of shoes but I want to wait until they go on sale.
goods that are reduced are being sold at a lower price than usual: · Everything is reduced because the store's closing down next month.reduced from ... to ...: · The CDs were reduced from $10 to $5.
if there is £1, $20, 10% etc off something, its usual price has been reduced by that amount: · 20% off all computers in Dixon's summer sale· We got $10 off the chair because it had a small mark on it.
a reduction in the price you pay for something, which is given for a special reason: get a discount (=pay less): · Do you get a discount if you pay in cash?discount on: · Workers at the store get a discount on books and records.30%/£50 etc discount: · There's a 30% discount on all electrical goods.at a discount (=at a reduced price): · Air UK are currently offering tickets to students at a special discount.
a very low price that a shop sells something for, in order to persuade more people to buy things there: · They've got a special offer for seniors -- five nights for the price of three.· Take advantage of our special offer between now and Oct 30 this year.
cut-price goods or services are sold at prices that are much lower than the usual price, either because they have been specially reduced or because they are being sold by someone who always sells things cheaply: · Tottenham Court Road is the best place for cut-price stereo equipment.· Fruit is fairly inexpensive in Japan because they buy cut-price oranges and apples from South Africa.
spoken if something is going cheap , it is being sold more cheaply than usual: · If they have any bicycle lamps going cheap, can you get me one?· Have a look in the travel agent's and see if there are any flights to Toronto going cheap.
a product that is sold at a low price for a short time -- used especially about food, drink, or meals: · Today's lunch special is smoked salmon with rice.on special American (=being sold as a special): · We have Bud beer 6-packs on special at $5.
to persuade someone to reduce the price of something to try to persuade someone to reduce the price of something by arguing with them about what it is worth: · If you go to a street market, you'd better be prepared to haggle.haggle over something: · The passenger haggled over the fare before she got into the taxi.haggle with somebody: · My mother used to spend hours haggling with the market traders.
to try to persuade someone to reduce the price of something by discussing it with them: · She bargained with the woman who was selling the plates and managed to get them for half the usual price.
to persuade someone to reduce the price of something by arguing with them about it: beat somebody down to $50/£20 etc: · The owners originally wanted $1000 for the horse, but George managed to beat them down to $850.beat somebody down: · I beat him down and got the bracelet for $2.
expensive something that is expensive costs a lot of money, more than other things of the same type: · She spends most of her money on expensive clothes.· Do you have any less expensive cameras?· Taxis are so expensive - that's why I usually take the bus.expensive to make/run/buy etc: · Movies are incredibly expensive to make these days.
especially spoken if something, especially something you do, costs a lot it is expensive: · I managed to find the bike I wanted but it cost a lot.· It costs a lot of money to go to medical school, you know.cost a lot (of money) to do something: · Did it cost a lot to fly to Rio?
if the price or cost of something is high , it costs a lot: · Rents in central London are very high.· The cost of living is higher in Denmark than in Germany.· Increased production costs will mean higher prices for consumers.
a plan, activity etc that is costly is too expensive and wastes money - used especially about plans carried out by governments or companies: · The finance committee rejected their plan because they said it was too costly.· Caring for the park's swans is a costly business - roughly $26,600 per year.costly mistake: · Buying all those computers was a costly mistake.
spoken informal if you say it's going to cost you or it'll cost you when someone wants to buy something, you mean it will be expensive for them: · You can get new parts specially made for these, but it'll cost you.· There are some places that can mend the suit in a couple of hours, but it's going to cost you.
informal to be expensive - use this especially when you think that even though something is expensive, it is still worth buying: · Gibson guitars sound great, but they don't come cheap.· It would be great if we could hire her, but with all her experience, she won't come cheap.
informal very expensive or too expensive - use this especially when you are deciding whether or not to buy something: · Let's not eat here - it's too pricey.· The tickets were kind of pricey, but the show was good.
British expensive - use this especially about things you buy in shops: · Those strawberries look a bit dear.· The blue jacket is slightly dearer, but it's much better material.· No, you can't have an ice-cream - they're too dear.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Air fares to Africa don’t come cheap (=are expensive). I bought this house because it was going cheap (=selling for a lower price than usual). She used to get meat cheap at the butcher’s.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES It’s a lovely coat, and I managed to get it cheap in the sales. He bought me some CDs which were going cheap (=were being sold at a low price). a market stall selling cheap and nasty watches
at a low price: Air fares to Africa don’t come cheap (=are expensive). I bought this house because it was going cheap (=selling for a lower price than usual). She used to get meat cheap at the butcher’s.· A take-away is a cheap alternative to eating out.
· Environmental groups are calling for an end to cheap flights.
It’s a lovely coat, and I managed to get it cheap in the sales. He bought me some CDs which were going cheap (=were being sold at a low price).· Farmers are complaining about cheap imports flooding the market.
(=workers who have low wages)· Women and children were used as cheap labour.
(=with a low interest rate)· Homebuyers are eager to take advantage of the cheap mortgages on offer.
a market stall selling cheap and nasty watches· We urgently need to find a cheaper option than oil or gas.
· He bought her a bottle of expensive French perfume.
· He took her out to an expensive restaurant.
disapproving (=excitement that you can get easily or without much effort)· Young people go to the big city in search of cheap thrills.
(=be expensive or cheap) If we go by taxi, it’s going to work out very expensive.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSVERB If we go by taxi, it’s going to work out very expensive.· It won't come cheap, though.· Life came cheap in the world of 1945.· Sony products may not come cheap, but they are manufactured to the highest standards of quality.· This kind of laptop doesn't come cheap.· A private education hardly comes cheap: students have to pay up to $ 15,000.· This neck-snapping performance does not come cheap.· None of this comes cheap, and bold moves will be required.
Air fares to Africa don’t come cheap (=are expensive). I bought this house because it was going cheap (=selling for a lower price than usual). She used to get meat cheap at the butcher’s. They’re selling linen off cheap in Lewis’s.cheap1 adjectivecheap2 adverbcheap3 noun
cheapcheap3 noun Longman Language Activatornot costing much money
something that is cheap costs very little money, or costs less than you expected: · My shoes were really cheap - they only cost $15.· The cheapest way to get to Chicago is to take the bus.it is cheap to do something: · It's cheaper to phone after six o'clock.relatively cheap (=cheap compared with other things): · Wooden houses are relatively cheap to build.
not expensive - use this especially about things that are of good quality, even though they do not cost a lot: · The furniture is inexpensive but well-made.· a simple, inexpensive meal· Beans and lentils are an inexpensive source of protein.relatively inexpensive (=not expensive compared to something similar): · a hotel that offers air-conditioned rooms at relatively inexpensive prices
especially spoken to not be expensive: · We stayed in a very nice hotel in Vienna and it didn't cost much.it doesn't cost much to do something: · It doesn't cost much to rent an apartment here.
cheap to use or cheap to do - use this about cars, machines, or ways of doing things that do not waste money, fuel etc: · We have a very economical heating system, so the bills aren't too high.be economical to use/run/operate: · This is a well-designed car that is also very economical to run.it is more economical to do something: · It's more economical to buy the big packet - it's only 50p more than the small one.
cheap enough for most people to be able to buy: · Single mothers often have trouble finding affordable child care.· We have a vast range of cars to choose from at affordable prices.
: low-cost housing/heating/transport etc intended to be cheap to use, buy, rent etc: · If you want low-cost transport and regular exercise, a bike is ideal.· If elected, he promised to build more low-cost housing in the city.· The US is giving low-cost loans to help under-developed countries in the region.
especially written if a product is low in price , it is cheap to buy: · Nikon's latest camera is low in price and easy to use.· The "Pocket-Pack" range of toys are very low in price and will provide hours of pleasure for the kids.
: low-budget film/movie/ production etc one that has been made very cheaply: · My first acting job was in a low-budget horror movie with a terrible plot.
: budget hotel/flight/accommodation etc budget hotels, flights etc are very low in price: · The Tourist Information Office will give you a list of budget hotels in the area.
spoken use this to say that you have enough money to buy or do something, and you should buy or do it: · "I'm not sure if I should buy this suit.'' "Come on! It won't break the bank!''without breaking the bank (=without having to pay a lot of money): · This guide lists 900 of the best places in which to eat without breaking the bank.
cheap but bad in quality something that is cheap does not cost much, and is clearly of bad quality: · The tourist shops were full of cheap souvenirs.· The hotel room was very small, with cheap furniture and a bumpy bed.· Oh look -- a present from Rob. I bet it's another bottle of cheap perfume.
British furniture, jewellery, or clothes that are cheap and nasty look cheap and of very bad quality: · What do you think of these bracelets? They look really cheap and nasty to me.· I don't like plastic shoes. They always seem cheap and nasty.
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.
not too expensive when compared to other prices reasonable prices seem fair because they are not too high: · They sell good-quality computer equipment at reasonable prices.· Only £15 a night? That sounds reasonable.
as low as or lower than the prices charged by other shops or companies: · I think you'll find our prices are extremely competitive.· The hotel offers a high standard of service at very competitive rates.
very cheap informal extremely cheap: · You can get beautiful leather jackets in the markets and they're dirt cheap.
British informal /be a steal American informal to be extremely cheap at a particular price: · She says her new outfit was a steal.· The new computer package is a snip at only £599 plus tax.
also at giveaway prices British if a shop is selling goods at rockbottom prices or at giveaway prices , it is selling them at extremely low prices -- used especially in advertisements: · Fox Hi-Fi specialize in selling top quality CD players at rockbottom prices.· In our summer sale, we have clothes from top designers at giveaway prices.
· You can pick up video recorders for very little money if you know where to look.
especially American very cheaply: · We got the car for nothing because the woman wanted to get rid of it fast.
to reduce the price of something to make prices, charges etc lower: · There is a lot of pressure on electricity companies to reduce their prices.· The company needs to cut costs drastically if it's going to survive.· Unless they can reduce their prices, they will soon be unable to compete on the American market.reduce something by 10%/£20 etc: · Continental Airlines are to reduce fares by up to 10% in some areas.
informal to reduce the price of something that you are selling: · I expect if you ask him he'll knock a couple of pounds off.· Knock fifty bucks off and I'll buy it.
to be reduced in price -- use this about goods in shops: · Their prices are usually marked down after Christmas.· To celebrate the store's 100th anniversary, all merchandise has been marked down by 20 percent.
to reduce the price of something by a very large amount - used especially in news reports and advertisements: · Sony has slashed the price of its new CD player, the D50.· Final Sale. All prices slashed. Everything must go!slash something by 50%/£50/$100 etc: · British Airways have slashed fares by over 50%.
when the price has been reduced a time when a shop sells things more cheaply than usual: · There's going to be a sale at Macy's next week.· Amelia bought her jacket at a sale for twenty dollars.have a sale: · The bookstore across the street is having a sale.the sales British (=when a lot of shops sell things at reduced prices): · I got this coat for half price in the January sales.
American /in the sales British something that is on sale is being sold at a specially low price in a shop: · "How much was your jacket?'' "I got it on sale in Montgomery Wards. It only cost $45.''· His suit was bought in the sales for £100.go on sale: · I need a new pair of shoes but I want to wait until they go on sale.
goods that are reduced are being sold at a lower price than usual: · Everything is reduced because the store's closing down next month.reduced from ... to ...: · The CDs were reduced from $10 to $5.
if there is £1, $20, 10% etc off something, its usual price has been reduced by that amount: · 20% off all computers in Dixon's summer sale· We got $10 off the chair because it had a small mark on it.
a reduction in the price you pay for something, which is given for a special reason: get a discount (=pay less): · Do you get a discount if you pay in cash?discount on: · Workers at the store get a discount on books and records.30%/£50 etc discount: · There's a 30% discount on all electrical goods.at a discount (=at a reduced price): · Air UK are currently offering tickets to students at a special discount.
a very low price that a shop sells something for, in order to persuade more people to buy things there: · They've got a special offer for seniors -- five nights for the price of three.· Take advantage of our special offer between now and Oct 30 this year.
cut-price goods or services are sold at prices that are much lower than the usual price, either because they have been specially reduced or because they are being sold by someone who always sells things cheaply: · Tottenham Court Road is the best place for cut-price stereo equipment.· Fruit is fairly inexpensive in Japan because they buy cut-price oranges and apples from South Africa.
spoken if something is going cheap , it is being sold more cheaply than usual: · If they have any bicycle lamps going cheap, can you get me one?· Have a look in the travel agent's and see if there are any flights to Toronto going cheap.
a product that is sold at a low price for a short time -- used especially about food, drink, or meals: · Today's lunch special is smoked salmon with rice.on special American (=being sold as a special): · We have Bud beer 6-packs on special at $5.
to persuade someone to reduce the price of something to try to persuade someone to reduce the price of something by arguing with them about what it is worth: · If you go to a street market, you'd better be prepared to haggle.haggle over something: · The passenger haggled over the fare before she got into the taxi.haggle with somebody: · My mother used to spend hours haggling with the market traders.
to try to persuade someone to reduce the price of something by discussing it with them: · She bargained with the woman who was selling the plates and managed to get them for half the usual price.
to persuade someone to reduce the price of something by arguing with them about it: beat somebody down to $50/£20 etc: · The owners originally wanted $1000 for the horse, but George managed to beat them down to $850.beat somebody down: · I beat him down and got the bracelet for $2.
spending as little as possible if you make a film, run a business etc on a shoestring , you spend very little money on it, but it is usually a success: · Nearly all of our research had to be conducted on a shoestring.· The paper started on a shoestring, but soon had a circulation of over 100,000 readers.
to not spend enough money on important materials, equipment etc, so that what you are doing or making is unsuccessful or of bad quality: · There's no point in skimping on essentials such as food and heating.· A company will never get anywhere by skimping on training and technology.
British if you do or make something on the cheap , you spend as little money as possible on it, so that it is often unsuccessful or of bad quality: · You only had to look at the houses to see that they'd been built on the cheap.· It's impossible to provide good nursing care on the cheap.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES It’s a lovely coat, and I managed to get it cheap in the sales. He bought me some CDs which were going cheap (=were being sold at a low price). a market stall selling cheap and nasty watches
· A take-away is a cheap alternative to eating out.
· Environmental groups are calling for an end to cheap flights.
It’s a lovely coat, and I managed to get it cheap in the sales. He bought me some CDs which were going cheap (=were being sold at a low price).· Farmers are complaining about cheap imports flooding the market.
(=workers who have low wages)· Women and children were used as cheap labour.
(=with a low interest rate)· Homebuyers are eager to take advantage of the cheap mortgages on offer.
a market stall selling cheap and nasty watches· We urgently need to find a cheaper option than oil or gas.
· He bought her a bottle of expensive French perfume.
· He took her out to an expensive restaurant.
disapproving (=excitement that you can get easily or without much effort)· Young people go to the big city in search of cheap thrills.
(=be expensive or cheap) If we go by taxi, it’s going to work out very expensive.
If we go by taxi, it’s going to work out very expensive.PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
on the cheap spending less money than is needed to do something properly: - His new book tells how to visit New York on the cheap.
- It's impossible to provide good nursing care on the cheap.
- You only had to look at the houses to see that they'd been built on the cheap.
- He's probably counting on family connections to get you on the cheap!
- Here you are covered for your tank and any furnishings which are damaged, even on the cheapest, most basic policy.
- There is a temptation that voluntary organisations may be tempted into offering services on the cheap.
- There would be no way of doing it gradually or on the cheap.
- They were able to take a high line, look impressive, cut a dash - on the cheap.
- This added up to $ 290. 50, a great date on the cheap, in Motor City.
A clean environment cannot be had on the cheap. holidaying on the cheap