Sometimes people want to say that something is low in cost without using the word “cheap.” They might use idioms instead. Idioms are special phrases that don’t always mean what they say word for word. For example, when someone says something “costs peanuts,” they don’t mean actual peanuts. They mean it’s very affordable.
In this article, you will learn common idioms that describe things that don’t cost much money. These expressions are used in everyday conversations at school, in stores, or at home. You’ll also practice changing regular sentences into ones that use these idioms. This will help you better understand how people speak and how you can use these phrases, too.
Idioms for Affordable
1. Costs peanuts
Meaning: Very inexpensive
Example: That notebook costs peanuts at the dollar store. / The pencils I bought cost peanuts compared to other stores.
Put Differently: It didn’t cost much at all. / It was very cheap.
2. Dirt cheap
Meaning: Extremely low price
Example: We got our Halloween costumes dirt cheap after the holiday. / The old video game was dirt cheap at the garage sale.
Put Differently: It was sold for a very low price. / It didn’t cost much money.
3. A steal
Meaning: A very good deal
Example: That bike for $20 was a steal. / The shoes were a steal at the outlet store.
Put Differently: It was a great deal. / I got it for a very low price.
4. For a song
Meaning: Very inexpensive
Example: We got that used tablet for a song. / They bought the couch for a song at a thrift shop.
Put Differently: It was really cheap. / They paid very little.
5. Easy on the wallet
Meaning: Not expensive
Example: That lunch deal is easy on the wallet. / The school supplies are easy on the wallet this year.
Put Differently: It’s not hard to afford. / Doesn’t cost too much.
6. Budget-friendly
Meaning: Fits within your money plan
Example: We found budget-friendly snacks for the class party. / The school trip was budget-friendly for all families.
Put Differently: It fits a small budget. / Not too expensive.
7. A bang for your buck
Meaning: Good value for the money
Example: This backpack gives you a bang for your buck. / You get more crayons in this box, so it’s a better bang for your buck.
Put Differently: You get more for what you pay. / It’s a better deal.
8. Pocket change
Meaning: Very little money
Example: The eraser only cost me pocket change. / I paid for the stickers with pocket change.
Put Differently: It cost just a few coins. / Very low cost.
9. Low-cost
Meaning: Not high in price
Example: We picked a low-cost gift for the birthday exchange. / The art set was low-cost but really nice.
Put Differently: It didn’t cost much. / It was inexpensive.
10. Doesn’t break the bank
Meaning: Not too expensive
Example: The movie tickets didn’t break the bank. / That meal deal doesn’t break the bank.
Put Differently: It was affordable. / It wasn’t too costly.
11. On the cheap
Meaning: In a way that saves money
Example: We decorated the classroom on the cheap. / They threw a fun party on the cheap.
Put Differently: They saved money while doing it. / It cost less than usual.
12. Cut-rate
Meaning: Cheaper than normal
Example: The store had cut-rate prices after Christmas. / These are cut-rate tickets for the baseball game.
Put Differently: They were sold at a lower price. / It was a discount deal.
13. On sale
Meaning: Reduced price
Example: Those markers are on sale this week. / I got the jacket because it was on sale.
Put Differently: It’s cheaper than usual. / The price went down.
14. Two for one
Meaning: Buy one, get one free
Example: We got candy with a two-for-one deal. / The store had a two-for-one offer on notebooks.
Put Differently: You get two items for the price of one. / It’s a good deal.
15. Pay next to nothing
Meaning: Pay very little
Example: I paid next to nothing for this book. / They paid next to nothing for the old board game.
Put differently: It cost almost nothing. / Very low price.
16. Marked down
Meaning: Lowered in price
Example: The toy was marked down after the holidays. /That backpack is marked down this week.
Put Differently: The price went lower. / It’s cheaper now.
17. Value deal
Meaning: A good item at a fair price
Example: The store offered a value deal on school lunches. / We got a value deal on family tickets.
Put Differently: It was worth the money. / It’s a fair deal.
18. Thrifty find
Meaning: A good item found at a low price
Example: That jacket was a thrifty find at the secondhand store. / We found a thrifty find for the costume party.
Put Differently: It was a cheap but good item. / Great deal at a low price.
19. Light on the pocket
Meaning: Doesn’t cost much
Example: That lunch is light on the pocket. /This new app is light on the pocket.
Put Differently: It’s easy to afford./ Not expensive.
20. On a shoestring
Meaning: Done with very little money
Example: We made our science project on a shoestring. She planned the party on a shoestring.
Put Differently: It was done with little money. / Very cheap plan.
21. A deal and a half
Meaning: A very good offer
Example: That video game was a deal and a half during the weekend sale. / The art set was a deal and a half compared to the other store.
Put Differently: It was a great bargain./ A really good price.
22. Bang for the buck
Meaning: A good amount or quality for the price
Example: That box of snacks gives you more bang for the buck. / This backpack lasts long, so it’s good bang for the buck.
Put Differently: It’s worth what you paid. / A smart choice for the money.
23. Value for money
Meaning: Worth the price you paid
Example: The school sweatshirt gave good value for money. / That craft kit gives value for money because it includes extras.
Put Differently: It’s a good use of money. / You get what you pay for.
24. Knockdown price
Meaning: Very low price
Example: The toys were at knockdown prices after the holiday. / I got a soccer ball at a knockdown price.
Put Differently: The price was very low. / A big discount.
25. Good deal
Meaning: Fair or cheap price for something useful
Example: That water bottle is a good deal at $5.The bundle of books was a good deal.
Put Differently: It’s worth the price.It’s a smart buy.
26. Penny-wise
Meaning: Careful with money, spending less
Example: She was penny-wise and picked cheaper school supplies. / My family is penny-wise about groceries.
Put Differently: They try to save money. / Make smart spending choices.
27. Easy buy
Meaning: Something simple and not costly to purchase
Example: That phone case was an easy buy. / The erasers were an easy buy for everyone.
Put Differently: It was cheap and simple to get. / No worry about price.
28. Clearance price
Meaning: Lower price to clear out old items
Example: I got my jacket at a clearance price. /These puzzles were on a clearance price shelf.
Put Differently: It was on discount. / Lowered to sell quickly.
29. Saver’s choice
Meaning: A smart pick for someone who wants to save
Example: That notebook pack is a saver’s choice. / This store is full of saver’s choice items.
Put Differently: Great for someone on a budget. / Good and cheap.
30. At a bargain
Meaning: At a lower or fair price
Example: She got new shoes at a bargain. / That hoodie was at a bargain last weekend.
Put Differently: It was a deal. / Cheaper than usual.
31. Super saver
Meaning: Very good price for the buyer
Example: We found a super saver deal on snacks. / The super saver card gave us free items.
Put Differently: Big savings for the cost. / Helpful discount.
32. Wallet-friendly
Meaning: Not expensive or hard on money
Example: That meal plan is wallet-friendly. / Her lunch idea is fun and wallet-friendly.
Put Differently: It doesn’t cost much. Affordable for most.
33. Money-wise
Meaning: Good at making smart money choices
Example: He’s money-wise and buys things on sale. She’s money-wise about her school supplies.
Put Differently: Spends carefully. Makes smart money choices.
34. On a dime
Meaning: Using very little money
Example: We made the class project on a dime. / The Halloween party was done on a dime.
Put Differently: Done with little cost. / Didn’t spend much.
35. Clearance steal
Meaning: A very good deal found in clearance
Example: That backpack was a clearance steal./ I found this hat as a clearance steal.
Put Differently: Great deal in the sale section./ Bought cheap.
36. Budget buy
Meaning: Something chosen to save money
Example: This water bottle is a good budget buy. / We picked a budget buy for our art project.
Put Differently: It’s low-cost and useful. / Smart for saving.
37. Price cut
Meaning: Reduced price
Example: There was a price cut on all the games. / That new book had a big price cut.
Put Differently: Price went lower. It’s cheaper now.
38. Sale price
Meaning: Lower than normal price during a sale
Example: That pencil case was at a sale price. The new shoes were at a sale price this week.
Put Differently: It was on discount. / Not full price.
39. Everyday low price
Meaning: Always sold at a cheaper cost
Example:The store has everyday low prices on snacks. / These folders have an everyday low price.
Put Differently:It’s always cheap. / Regular price is low.
40. Bargain bin
Meaning: A section where items are sold cheaply
Example: I found fun toys in the bargain bin. / These books came from the bargain bin.
Put Differently: A spot where cheap stuff is sold./ Good finds for less money.
“Rewrite the Sentence” Activity: Idioms for Affordable
Below are 10 clear, everyday sentences that show affordable situations without using idioms.
Your task: Rewrite each sentence using one of the idioms for affordable you’ve learned.
Use the idiom in a way that fits the sentence and sounds natural.
Sentences to Rewrite
1. We got notebooks for a very low price.
2. The store sold the toys at a much lower price than usual.
3. I bought lunch for just a few coins.
4. We saved money by buying the crayons during a sale.
5. My family planned the class gift without spending much money.
6. Her backpack was cheap but still worked well.
7. The candy came with a “buy one, get one free” deal.
8. My new shoes didn’t cost a lot and are still good quality.
9. They picked the school supplies because they were easy to afford.
10. I found the book in the discount section at the store.
Answer Key
1. We got notebooks that cost peanuts.
2. The store sold the toys at a knockdown price.
3. I bought lunch with just pocket change.
4. We saved money because the crayons were on sale.
5. My family planned the class gift on a shoestring.
6. Her backpack was a thrifty find.
7. The candy came with a two-for-one deal.
8. My new shoes gave me value for money.
9. They picked the school supplies because they were wallet-friendly.
10. I found the book in the bargain bin.
Conclusion
Idioms help people talk about prices in fun and simple ways. Instead of always saying something is cheap or low-cost, we can use phrases like costs peanuts or on a shoestring. These expressions make speech more interesting and easy to understand.
Now that you know idioms for affordable, try using them in your writing and talking. You might hear them when shopping, during school events, or while planning something with friends or family. Learning these idioms helps you say more with fewer words.
