Phrases and Idioms Used For Talking About Prices

In this blog post, we are going to learn useful English phrases for talking about prices, whether they’re cheap or expensive. You’ll also discover idioms related to prices, along with their meanings, to help you express yourself more clearly in conversations. By mastering these phrases, you can strengthen your communication skills and feel more confident when discussing prices in English.

What are we going to learn in this lesson?

In this lesson, we are going to learn the 60+ commonly used phrases for prices. Also:

20 Common Phrases for Talking about Prices
20 Phrases for Talking about Cheap Prices
20 Phrases for Talking about Expensive Prices
40 Idioms with their Meanings for Talking about Prices

Table of Contents

English Phrases and Idioms for Talking about Prices

Phrases for Prices with Meanings

The below list contains 40 commonly used phrases for prices in English with their meanings:

How much does it cost?

Asking for the price of something.

What’s the price?

Asking for the cost of something.

What’s the asking price?

Asking for the initial price set by the seller.

How much are you selling it for?

Asking for the price of something that someone is selling.

How much are you willing to pay?

Asking how much someone is willing to spend on something.

What’s the going rate?

Asking for the current market price of something.

How much does it retail for?

Asking for the price at which something is sold in stores.

What’s the price tag on this?

Asking for the price of something by looking at its tag.

Can you give me a quote?

Asking for a price estimate or quotation for a service or product.

Is there any room for negotiation?

Asking if the price can be lowered or if there is any flexibility in the price.

It’s out of my price range.

Expressing that the price is beyond what one can afford or is willing to spend.

That’s a fair price.

Commenting that the price is reasonable and fair.

That’s too expensive for me.

Expressing that the price is too high and unaffordable.

That’s reasonably priced.

Commenting that the price is reasonable.

Can you offer any discounts?

Asking if there is any possibility of receiving a lower price.

It’s a good deal.

Commenting that the price is reasonable and a good value.

I can’t afford it.

Expressing that the price is too high and one cannot afford to purchase it.

That’s a bargain.

Commenting that the price is very low and a good deal.

It’s worth every penny.

Commenting that something is expensive but worth it.

That’s a bit steep.

Commenting that the price is too high.

20 Common Phrases for Talking about Prices

In this section, we’ll explore some common phrases used when discussing prices. Asking “How much does it cost?” or “What is the price?” are simple and direct ways to inquire about the cost of items or services. Another way to ask is by saying, “What’s the going rate for…?” which helps you understand the average price for something. If you’re looking for an estimate, you might ask for a ballpark figure, which gives you a general idea of the cost without needing exact numbers. Understanding these terms will help you in daily conversations about prices.

You can use these below-listed phrases for talking about prices:

How much does it cost?
What’s the price?
What’s the asking price?
How much are you selling it for?
How much are you willing to pay?
What’s the going rate?
How much does it retail for?
What’s the price tag on this?
Can you give me a quote?
Is there any room for negotiation?
That’s a bit steep.
That’s a bargain.
It’s worth every penny.
It’s a good deal.
I can’t afford it.
It’s out of my price range.
That’s a fair price.
That’s too expensive for me.
That’s reasonably priced.
Can you offer any discounts?

20 Phrases for Talking about Cheap Prices

In this section, we will cover common phrases used when discussing cheap prices. One of the most frequently used terms is “affordable,” which means something is priced reasonably and is within reach of a person’s budget. Another term is “inexpensive,” which indicates that something is low in cost but still of decent quality. Learning these phrases will help you talk about prices when discussing different items or services.

You can use these below-listed phrases for talking about cheap prices:

It’s a steal!
What a bargain!
It’s a real bargain.
That’s a great price.
That’s really cheap.
That’s a fantastic deal.
You can’t beat that price.
It’s a rock-bottom price.
That’s a real deal.
It’s a giveaway!
That’s an amazing price.
You won’t find a better price.
That’s a steal of a deal.
That’s dirt cheap.
That’s an unbeatable price.
It’s practically free.
That’s a real steal.
That’s a fire sale price.
That’s a clearance price.
You’d be crazy not to buy it at that price.

20 Phrases for Talking about Expensive Prices

In this section, we’ll explore common phrases used to describe expensive prices. A simple way to express this is by using the word “expensive,” which directly means that something is high in price. Another term you might hear is “pricey,” which suggests that the item is costlier than expected or that there might be cheaper options available. Understanding these phrases will help you describe prices when discussing different products or services.

You can use these below-listed phrases for talking about expensive prices:

That’s quite pricey.
That’s a bit steep.
That’s really expensive.
It’s on the expensive side.
It’s a bit overpriced.
That’s a hefty price tag.
That’s a premium price.
It’s not cheap, but it’s worth it.
That’s a luxury item.
That’s a high-end product.
That’s a top-of-the-line model.
It’s definitely an investment.
That’s not for the budget-conscious.
That’s for the discerning buyer.
That’s for those with expensive taste.
That’s a bank-breaker.
It’s for those who want the best of the best.
It’s definitely not a budget option.
That’s a rich man’s price.
That’s not for the faint of wallet.

Idioms Used for Talking about Prices

Idioms for prices are expressions that add emphasis and color to conversations about cost. One popular idiom is “cost an arm and a leg,” which means something is extremely expensive. Another commonly used phrase is “break the bank,” referring to spending more money than one can afford. These expressive phrases are often used to convey a sense of exaggeration and make discussions about prices more engaging. Understanding these idioms can enhance your ability to talk about expensive or costly items in English.

Learn more: Phrases Used for Expressing Thanks

Here is a list of huge English idioms that are used for prices:

A steal

Something that is very inexpensive or great value for the price.

A rip-off

Something that is very overpriced or not worth the cost.

A pretty penny

A large amount of money.

The cost of living

The average cost of the basic necessities of life in a particular area.

To cost an arm and a leg

To be very expensive.

To be worth its weight in gold

To be extremely valuable.

To break the bank

To spend more money than one can afford.

To pay through the nose

To pay a very high price for something.

To nickel and dime

To charge small amounts of money for every little thing, adding up to a large amount in the end.

To be on a shoestring budget

To have very little money to spend.

To be in the black

To have a profit or be financially successful.

To be in the red

To have a debt or be financially struggling.

To make ends meet

To have just enough money to cover basic expenses.

To tighten one’s belt

To reduce spending in order to save money.

To shop around

To look for the best price before making a purchase.

To go for broke

To take a big risk in order to achieve success or financial gain.

English Idioms that are used for Prices:

To feather one’s nest

To accumulate wealth or financial security for oneself.

To be penny-wise and pound-foolish

To be careful with small amounts of money, but careless with large amounts.

To have money burning a hole in one’s pocket

To have a strong urge to spend money that one has available.

To make a killing

To earn a lot of money quickly or unexpectedly.

To have deep pockets

To have a lot of money to spend.

To be worth a fortune

To be extremely valuable and expensive.

To be dirt cheap

To be very inexpensive.

To pay top dollar

To pay the highest possible price for something.

To get a bang for your buck

To get a good value for the price paid.

To shell out

To spend a lot of money on something.

To tighten the purse strings

To reduce spending in order to save money.

To count the pennies

To be very careful with money.

To be in the money

To have a lot of money or be financially successful.

To cost a bomb

To be very expensive.

To make a mint

To earn a lot of money quickly or easily.

To throw money down the drain

To waste money on something that is not worth it.

To go broke

To become completely out of money.

To have champagne taste on a beer budget

To have an expensive taste but not the financial means to support it.

To put a price on something

To assign a value to something.

To sell like hotcakes

To sell very quickly and in large quantities.

To have a steal

To have a good deal or bargain.

To pay an arm and a leg

To pay an exorbitant price for something.

To be a cash cow

To be a source of consistent and profitable income.

To be a penny pincher

To be someone who is overly frugal and reluctant to spend money.

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Phrases and Idioms Used for Talking About Prices

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