Meaning & use
go cheap
Last updated
UK/ˌɡəʊ ˈtʃiːp/
US/ˌɡoʊ ˈtʃiːp/
Meaning
phraseidiominformal
To choose the least expensive option, often when a better quality one is expected or needed.
Grammar: Used without an object: We decided to go cheap on the decorations. Often followed by 'on' plus a noun.
Patterns
- go cheap on something
- go cheap
Don't go cheap on safety equipment—it could be dangerous.
They went cheap on the hotel and regretted it later.
If you go cheap now, you might pay more in the long run.
Common combinations
- go cheap on something
- The company went cheap on training and the staff suffered.
- decide to go cheap
- We decided to go cheap and take the bus instead of flying.
- go cheap and regret it
- Many people go cheap and regret it when the product breaks.
Synonyms and how they differ
- cut corners
- 'Cut corners' means to do something badly or cheaply to save time or money, often with a stronger sense of doing a poor job.
- economize
- 'Economize' is more formal and neutral; 'go cheap' is informal and can suggest a bad choice.
Opposites
splurgego all out
Practice
The team decided to ______ on uniforms to save money for better equipment.
Choose one answer.
'Go cheap' is the correct fixed phrase. 'Go cheaply' is not used in this idiom; 'cheapness' is a noun and 'cheaper' would need a comparison.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “go cheap”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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