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Meaning & use

go on sale

phrase·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌɡəʊ ɒn ˈseɪl/
US/ˌɡoʊ ɑːn ˈseɪl/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    to become available for people to buy, especially for the first time

    Grammar: Used with a subject that is the product or ticket; no object: The album goes on sale tomorrow.

    Patterns

    • something goes on sale
    • go on sale at a place
    • go on sale for an amount

    The new smartphone will go on sale next Friday.

    Tickets for the concert go on sale at 9 a.m. online.

    The book went on sale in bookstores across the country.

  2. phrasefixed phraseinformal

    to be offered at a lower price than usual for a short time

    Grammar: Often used with 'be' rather than 'go': These shoes are on sale this week. 'Go on sale' is less common for discounts but can still appear.

    Patterns

    • something goes on sale
    • go on sale at a store

    The winter coats usually go on sale in January.

    I'll wait until the furniture goes on sale before I buy it.

Common combinations

go on sale tomorrow
The video game goes on sale tomorrow at midnight.
go on sale online
The limited edition prints will go on sale online only.
go on sale at
The tickets go on sale at the box office at noon.
go on sale for
The house went on sale for $300,000.
go on sale to the public
The exhibition catalog goes on sale to the public next week.

Synonyms and how they differ

be released
Used for films, music, or software when they become available; 'go on sale' focuses on the moment they can be bought.
hit the shelves
Informal and emphasizes products arriving in shops; 'go on sale' is more neutral and can include online sales.
become available
A general phrase for anything you can get or buy; 'go on sale' specifically means it is now being sold.

Opposites

go off salebe withdrawn from sale

Word family

on sale phrase
Available to buy, or being sold at a reduced price.
sale noun
An event where things are sold, often at lower prices.
sell verb
To give something in exchange for money.

Commonly confused: go on sale or for sale?

go on sale vs for sale

'For sale' means something is available to be bought, often used for houses or cars. 'Go on sale' is about the moment something becomes available for buying, not the state of being available.

Practice

The new album ______ on sale next Monday.

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