When talking about something that is easy to buy or inexpensive, people often use similes to make their language more vivid and interesting. A simile compares one thing to another using words like “as” or “like.” This helps make the description more relatable and colorful. In this article, we’ll explore similes that can be used to describe something affordable, making your expressions more engaging and fun.
Similes can help people understand just how affordable something is by comparing it to things we already know. Whether you’re talking about a bargain, a good deal, or a cheap product, these similes add personality and creativity to everyday conversations. Let’s dive into some examples and see how you can use these similes in real-life situations.
Similes for Affordable
1. As cheap as chips
Meaning: Very inexpensive.
Example: That t-shirt was as cheap as chips at the sale.
Put Differently: You can buy this candy for as cheap as chips. / I got a movie ticket that was as cheap as chips.
2. Like a bargain at a yard sale
Meaning: A great deal for very little money.
Example: I found this jacket like a bargain at a yard sale!
Put Differently: This book was like a bargain at a yard sale. / The shoes were a real bargain at a yard sale.
3. As low as a dollar
Meaning: Very inexpensive, often used to describe a price.
Example: You can buy this snack for as low as a dollar.
Put Differently: The ice cream is as low as a dollar. / These postcards are as low as a dollar.
4. Like pennies from heaven
Meaning: Something very cheap or easy to find.
Example: I found these shoes like pennies from heaven at the thrift store.
Put Differently: The candy was like pennies from heaven in that shop. / It was like pennies from heaven to buy that dress.
5. As light as a feather
Meaning: Easy to buy or inexpensive.
Example: This book was as light as a feather; only a few bucks!
Put Differently: This snack is as light as a feather. / The magazine was as light as a feather at the checkout.
6. Like a steal
Meaning: A very good deal for a very low price.
Example: That laptop was like a steal at the store’s clearance event.
Put Differently: The shoes were like a steal during the sale. / This jacket is like a steal, especially at half price.
7. As easy as picking daisies
Meaning: Very simple and inexpensive to acquire.
Example: Finding a cheap meal was as easy as picking daisies.
Put Differently: Buying that snack was as easy as picking daisies. / It’s as easy as picking daisies to find a good deal.
8. Like a dollar store find
Meaning: Extremely cheap or inexpensive.
Example: That toy was like a dollar store find only one dollar!
Put Differently: This little gift was like a dollar store find. / It was like a dollar store find when I bought that snack.
9. As frugal as a squirrel
Meaning: Very careful with money, buying inexpensive things.
Example: She’s as frugal as a squirrel, always finding the best deals.
Put Differently: He’s as frugal as a squirrel when it comes to shopping. / My aunt is as frugal as a squirrel with her purchases.
10. Like a find at a flea market
Meaning: An amazing, inexpensive discovery.
Example: That antique clock was like a find at a flea market!
Put Differently: I found a great deal on a book, like a find at a flea market. / It was like a find at a flea market, that necklace.
11. As simple as a dollar menu
Meaning: Inexpensive and easy to get.
Example: The snack was as simple as a dollar menu item.
Put Differently: That sandwich is as simple as a dollar menu deal. / Buying drinks from the corner store is as simple as a dollar menu.
12. Like a hand-me-down
Meaning: Something used but still affordable.
Example: The jacket was like a hand-me-down, but still very stylish.
Put Differently: These shoes were like a hand-me-down, yet comfortable. / That dress is like a hand-me-down from my cousin.
13. As cheap as dirt
Meaning: Extremely inexpensive.
Example: The tickets were as cheap as dirt.
Put Differently: Those shoes were as cheap as dirt. / The snacks were as cheap as dirt at that discount store.
14. Like a coupon in your pocket
Meaning: A great deal or discount available for something affordable.
Example: That meal felt like a coupon in your pocket, so cheap!
Put Differently: It was like having a coupon in your pocket for that movie. / That ice cream was like a coupon in your pocket at the shop.
15. As small as a penny
Meaning: Very inexpensive or little in value.
Example: That snack was as small as a penny, but it was tasty!
Put Differently: The price was as small as a penny for that candy. / Her fee was as small as a penny for such good work.
16. Like a thrift store treasure
Meaning: A cheap find that is very valuable or special.
Example: That coat was like a thrift store treasure, only five dollars!
Put Differently: It was like a thrift store treasure when I bought those shoes. / That book was like a thrift store treasure.
17. As close to free as it gets
Meaning: Inexpensive, almost like it’s free.
Example: This notebook was as close to free as it gets at the sale.
Put Differently: That pen was as close to free as it gets. / The ticket was as close to free as it gets on a discount.
18. Like a great deal on a sale rack
Meaning: An amazing bargain.
Example: The jacket was like a great deal on a sale rack super cheap!
put Differently: That movie ticket was like a great deal on a sale rack. / The shoes were like a great deal on a sale rack.
19. As low as it goes
Meaning: The lowest price available.
Example: That sweater was as low as it goes during the clearance sale.
Put Differently: The concert tickets were as low as it goes at that time. / The shirt was as low as it goes in price.
20. Like a low-budget film
Meaning: Something affordable but still good.
Example: That dinner was like a low-budget film, tasty but cheap.
Put Differently: The concert was like a low-budget film, but still fun. / Her dress was like a low-budget film, but cute.
21. As thin as a dime
Meaning: Very inexpensive, especially something small.
Example: This candy was as thin as a dime, yet only a dollar!
Put Differently: The snack was as thin as a dime, but tasty. / That pencil was as thin as a dime but worked well.
22. Like a penny saved
Meaning: A deal that saves a lot of money.
Example: That coupon made it feel like a penny saved, I saved a lot!
Put Differently: The book was like a penny saved, so affordable. / The sale felt like a penny saved when I bought those shoes.
23. As cheap as a used car
Meaning: Extremely affordable.
Example: That ticket was as cheap as a used car!
Put Differently: This deal is as cheap as a used car. / That snack was as cheap as a used car.
24. Like a fast food meal
Meaning: Inexpensive and quick.
Example: Buying that snack was like a fast food meal quick and cheap.
Put Differently: The lunch was like a fast food meal quick and affordable. / That drink was like a fast food meal, so inexpensive.
25. As cheap as a broken watch
Meaning: Very low in price.
Example: That deal was as cheap as a broken watch.
Put Differently: The shoes were as cheap as a broken watch. / The DVD was as cheap as a broken watch.
26. Like a discount at the store
Meaning: A good deal or price reduction.
Example: That jacket was like a discount at the store, so affordable!
Put Differently: The pizza was like a discount at the store. / The jeans were like a discount at the store.
27. As tiny as a crumb
Meaning: Something very small in price or size.
Example: That candy bar was as tiny as a crumb, but delicious!
Put Differently: The toy was as tiny as a crumb. / The price was as tiny as a crumb for such a great deal.
28. Like a simple dollar bill
Meaning: Something inexpensive.
Example: That meal was like a simple dollar bill, so cheap!
Put Differently: The notebook was like a simple dollar bill. / The toy was like a simple dollar bill at the store.
29. As cheap as a paper clip
Meaning: Very inexpensive.
Example: That pen was as cheap as a paper clip!
Put Differently: The notebook was as cheap as a paper clip. / The chocolate was as cheap as a paper clip.
30. Like a second-hand find
Meaning: A great deal on something used.
Example: That shirt was like a second-hand find, still perfect!
Put Differently: That toy was like a second-hand find, affordable and good as new. / The chair was like a second-hand find.
31. As clear as a bargain
Meaning: A deal that is clearly affordable.
Example: The price was as clear as a bargain; you couldn’t miss it.
Put Differently: That sale was as clear as a bargain. / It was as clear as a bargain when I bought those shoes.
32. Like a throwaway price
Meaning: Extremely low cost.
Example: The book was like a throwaway price so cheap!
Put Differently: The coffee was like a throwaway price. / That concert ticket was like a throwaway price.
33. As smooth as a discount
Meaning: Easy and affordable.
Example: That meal was as smooth as a discount, quick and cheap.
Put Differently: The jacket was as smooth as a discount. / The deal was as smooth as a discount.
34. Like an old-fashioned sale
Meaning: A sale with very low prices.
Example: That shirt was like an old-fashioned sale practically free!
Put Differently: This deal felt like an old-fashioned sale. / The shoes were like an old-fashioned sale.
35. As light as air
Meaning: Inexpensive, easy to purchase.
Example: The soda was as light as air, and only a dollar!
Put Differently: The price was as light as air. / The lunch was as light as air.
36. Like a penny for your thoughts
Meaning: A very small cost, often for something special.
Example: That candy was like a penny for your thoughts, so affordable.
Put Differently: The ticket was like a penny for your thoughts. / This book was like a penny for your thoughts.
37. As cool as a coupon
Meaning: A good deal with a discount.
Example: That lunch deal was as cool as a coupon.
Put Differently: The shirt was as cool as a coupon. / The special was as cool as a coupon.
38. Like a store clearance
Meaning: A great deal with low prices.
Example: That jacket was like a store clearance sale, so cheap!
Put Differently: That bag was like a store clearance sale. / The toys were like a store clearance.
39. As easy as a freebie
Meaning: Something very inexpensive or given for free.
Example: That free snack was as easy as a freebie!
Put Differently: The drink was as easy as a freebie. / The toy was as easy as a freebie at the store.
40. Like a knockoff brand
Meaning: Inexpensive but still works or looks good.
Example: Those shoes were like a knockoff brand but still stylish.
Put Differently: That phone case was like a knockoff brand. / These sunglasses were like a knockoff brand.
“Rewrite the Sentence” Activity: Similes for Affordable
Below are 10 simple sentences about affordable items. Rewrite each sentence using a simile from the list you’ve learned. Try to make it sound natural.
Sentences to Rewrite
- The price of that sandwich is very cheap.
- I bought a great pair of shoes for a very low price.
- That store sells very inexpensive toys.
- The concert tickets were a really good deal.
- The snack I got today cost almost nothing.
- The jacket I found was very affordable.
- The meal was really inexpensive but delicious.
- The movie ticket was cheaper than I expected.
- I found a great bargain on my lunch today.
- The book was very cheap compared to other stores.
Answer Key
- The price of that sandwich was as cheap as chips.
- I bought a great pair of shoes like a bargain at a yard sale.
- That store sells toys like a find at a flea market.
- The concert tickets were like a steal.
- The snack I got today was like pennies from heaven.
- The jacket I found was like a second-hand find.
- The meal was like a fast food meal cheap but delicious.
- The movie ticket was as cheap as a broken watch.
- I found a great bargain on my lunch like a great deal on a sale rack.
- The book was like a knockoff brand affordable but still great.
Conclusion
Similes are a fun way to describe affordable things in a way that adds color and personality to your speech. By using similes, you can make even the simplest purchase sound exciting. Whether it’s a great deal, a bargain, or something that feels almost free, these similes help us express the value in a more interesting and memorable way. Next time you find a great deal, try using a simile to describe it!
