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Quiz 🎲|Every day, one new expression.|

Today's Expressions

Learn useful English expressions easily and fun.

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feeling the pinch

experiencing financial difficulty · needing to be frugal

What's the situation?

This expression is perfect when you need to be a bit more careful with your money, especially during a shopping trip. 💸 Maybe you've had a few unexpected expenses, or you're just saving up for something big! This phrase says, 'I need to watch my spending!' without sounding like you're in dire straits. 😉

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to save a few bucks

to save some money · to spend less money

What's the situation?

Ever find yourself scrolling through online stores or walking the aisles, trying to make your wallet happy? 🎉 'To save a few bucks' is your go-to phrase when you want to mention saving some cash, big or small, especially during your shopping adventures! 💰✨

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What's the best bang for your buck?

What offers the most value for money? · What's the best deal?

What's the situation?

Imagine you're planning a trip to a new city and want to find the most affordable yet enjoyable activities or places to stay. This phrase is your go-to when you're trying to stretch your travel budget while still getting a fantastic experience! 🤑 It's all about maximizing value!

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What's your budget?

How much money are you willing to spend? · What's your spending limit?

What's the situation?

This is super handy when you're helping a friend shop or when a sales associate is trying to guide you to the right products. 🛍️ It helps set clear expectations and avoids showing things that are either too expensive or not expensive enough for what you're looking for! ✨

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What does it all add up to?

How much is the total? · What's the sum of these items?

What's the situation?

Imagine you've picked up a few cool items in a store, but you're not quite ready to commit to the checkout line. You want a quick estimate of the total cost before you decide or maybe ask a sales associate. This phrase is your go-to!

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to slum it

to experience conditions much worse than one is used to (often voluntarily and for a short period) · to live cheaply or in a basic way

What's the situation?

This expression is perfect when you choose a more adventurous or budget-friendly travel style, even if you're usually accustomed to more comfort. 🎒 Think staying in a cheap hostel, eating street food, or taking long bus rides to save money! It's all about embracing a simpler, less luxurious experience for the sake of adventure or cost-saving. ✨

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to check the price tag

to look at the cost of an item

What's the situation?

You've just spotted something amazing in a store! ✨ Before falling completely in love, it's a good idea to know if it's within your budget. This expression is perfect for that quick reality check! 💸

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How much did the trip set you back?

How much did the trip cost you? · What was the total expense for the trip?

What's the situation?

This question is perfect when you're curious about the total cost of someone's travel adventure. 🤑 It's a polite way to ask about expenses without being too direct or intrusive, implying you're interested in the scale of their trip! ✨

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put a cap on something

to set a limit or maximum on something

What's the situation?

This expression is super useful when you need to talk about setting a maximum limit, like on expenses, headcount, or project scope. 💸 It's a professional yet clear way to say 'no more than this' to keep things under control.

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to be in the red

in debt · overspent your budget · negative balance

What's the situation?

Ever felt that pang of dread after a big purchase, checking your bank account and realizing you've gone a *tad* overboard? 💸 That's when you're "in the red"! It's a colorful way to say your finances are a bit negative.

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Is that including tax?

Does this price already have sales tax added?

What's the situation?

This question is a lifesaver when you're shopping and want to confirm the *exact* final price! 💸 It's super common in places where sales tax is added at the register, not included in the displayed price. It helps you avoid any unpleasant surprises at checkout!

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What's your travel budget?

How much money are you planning to spend on your trip?

What's the situation?

This expression is super useful when you're chatting with friends or family about upcoming trips, or even when you're trying to figure out your own travel plans! 💰 It helps everyone understand the financial scope of the adventure.

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travel on a dime

travel very cheaply · travel with a very limited budget

What's the situation?

This expression is perfect when you've managed to explore a lot without emptying your wallet! 💸 It's all about making savvy choices, like staying in hostels, eating street food, and using public transport, to see the world for less. ✨

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to stretch your travel budget

make your travel money go further · get more out of your travel funds

What's the situation?

Imagine you're planning an amazing trip but need to be smart with your money. This phrase is your best friend when you want to enjoy your travels without breaking the bank! 💸 It's all about making every dollar count to extend your adventure and experience more.

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Are you traveling during peak season?

Is your trip during the busiest time of year? · Are you going when it's most popular/crowded?

What's the situation?

Ever wonder if your dream vacation spot will be packed with people or if prices will be soaring? 💸 This question is your go-to! It's super useful when you're chatting about travel plans and want to know if someone is heading out during the busiest (and often priciest) time of year. Think school holidays, major festivals, or perfect weather windows! ☀️

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to travel on a budget

to travel cheaply · to save money while traveling

What's the situation?

Who doesn't love exploring new places without breaking the bank? 🌍✈️ This expression is perfect for talking about planning trips where you're mindful of your spending, looking for deals, or choosing more affordable options like hostels or street food. It's all about smart travel! 🤓

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to break the bank

to cost a lot of money · to be very expensive

What's the situation?

Imagine you're planning your dream vacation, but you also want to keep your wallet happy. That's where 'to break the bank' comes in! 💰 It's perfect when you're talking about something that's super expensive or that would completely drain your savings. Use it when you want to make sure your travel adventures don't leave you totally broke!

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to pick one's battles

to choose which issues or purchases are worth investing energy, time, or money into · to prioritize where to make an effort

What's the situation?

This smart idiom isn't just for arguments! When you're out shopping, especially with a budget or limited time, you can't have *everything* you want. This expression is perfect for when you need to decide which items are truly essential, which ones are worth a splurge, and where you can compromise or skip entirely. It's about being strategic with your shopping! 🛍️✨

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to be worth the splurge

to be worth spending a lot of money on · to be a good value despite the high cost

What's the situation?

You're debating a purchase or an experience that costs a pretty penny, but you suspect it might be truly special. 💸 This expression is your go-to for weighing whether that extra expense for something amazing is truly justified. Think luxury experiences, high-end gadgets, or once-in-a-lifetime trips! ✨

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to talk someone out of buying something

to persuade someone not to purchase an item · to convince someone that a purchase is a bad idea

What's the situation?

Your friend is about to make a questionable purchase, perhaps something they don't really need or something that's overpriced. This phrase is perfect for when you step in as the voice of reason! 🗣️💸

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to give something a miss

decide not to do/buy something · skip something

What's the situation?

Ever been in a store, staring at something you kinda want but deep down know you don't *really* need? Or maybe it's just a bit too pricey? 💸 That's when you can 'give it a miss'! It's a chill way of saying 'Nope, not today, not for me.' It perfectly captures those moments of thoughtful (or budget-conscious!) decision-making while shopping. ✨

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to go over budget

to spend more money than planned · to exceed one's financial limit

What's the situation?

This expression is super useful when you've been out shopping, maybe a little too enthusiastically, and realized you've spent more than you intended. 😅 It happens to the best of us when those sales items are just too tempting! You might have gone over budget on groceries, clothes, or even a fun night out.

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to be reasonably priced

not too expensive · offering good value for money

What's the situation?

You know that feeling when you find something you love, and the price tag doesn't make your wallet cry? 🥳 That's when you've found something that's *reasonably priced*! It means it's not super cheap, but definitely not overpriced either, making it a smart buy. 💸✨

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get your money's worth

to receive good value for the money spent · to feel satisfied with what you paid for

What's the situation?

This fantastic expression is perfect for discussing whether an experience, a purchase, or especially a trip, truly delivered on its promise. 🤔 It's all about feeling like your hard-earned cash was well spent! 💰✨

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