Whether you’re a fan of selling, spending, or just browsing, these shopping idioms will make your language full of expression.
From the thrill of a shopping spree to discussing budgets, idioms about shopping paint vivid pictures and are a common part of the English language. For each one listed here, we have included a definition and example sentence to show how these idiomatic sayings are used in everyday life.
Shopping idioms
Window shopping
Let’s start this list of shopping idioms with window shopping. This involves walking through a shopping district or mall, admiring the displays and browsing products with no intention of purchasing anything.
“Whenever I feel the need for some retail therapy but don’t want to spend money, I indulge in a bit of window shopping.”
Retail therapy
Not the most common or healthy type of therapy; retail therapy refers to the act of shopping as a means to improve your mood or alleviate stress. Some people feel that engaging in shopping activities can provide a temporary boost to your emotional well-being.
“After a long and exhausting week at work, I decided to indulge in some retail therapy. Sometimes, a little shopping can work wonders for the soul.”
If this is something you can relate to, you might need some idioms about stress as well!
Shopping spree
An exciting burst of uninhibited shopping enthusiasm could be described as a shopping spree. This involves purchasing a significant number of items in a relatively short space of time, usually without much restraint.
“I just got paid so I’m heading out on a shopping spree!”
Another idiom about shopping with the same kind of meaning is to shop like there is no tomorrow. This describes indulgent and impulsive shopping for the pleasure of the experience more than for the need of the items being purchased.
Shoplifting
Some of these shopping idioms are, in fact, the opposite of shopping! People who engage in shoplifting steal goods from a retail store without paying for them.
“The security camera footage caught the shoplifter red-handed as they attempted to conceal the stolen merchandise in their bag.”
Cash on the barrel(head)
Here’s one of the idioms about shopping that you may not hear too much these days, as paying by credit card or using a payment app on your phone becomes more popular.
Cash on the barrel or barrelhead means paying for something immediately and in cash, as opposed to receiving credit from the store and paying in installments.
“The antiques store had a strict ‘cash on the barrelhead’ policy. When I found a rare collectible, I had to pay for it right away in cash.”
Of course, nowadays most stores accept a multitude of payment methods to keep up with customer demand, but some still adopt this kind of policy.
On a shoestring
Being on a shoestring is a finance idiom that means having a minimal amount of money to spend. It suggests that you need to be extremely frugal and careful with your expenses as your budget is very limited.
“As a student, I had to plan my vacation on a shoestring budget. It was challenging, but it taught me the art of enjoying life without spending a fortune.”
Things you can do ‘on a shoestring’ include living, traveling, and eating.
Penny-pinching
Another shopping idiom that refers to frugality is penny-pinching. This is the art of being exceptionally thrifty and resourceful – some may say stingy – with money.
It entails a vigilant approach to every penny spent, striving to maximize savings and minimize expenses at all costs.
“My grandfather is known for his penny-pinching ways. He always finds the best deals, clips coupons religiously, and never wastes a single penny.”
Someone who behaves in this way could be described as a penny-pincher too.
Impulse buy
It’s difficult to live on a tight budget if you often impulse buy. This is when you make an unplanned and spontaneous purchase without much thought or consideration.
“I went to the supermarket to buy groceries, but I ended up impulse buying a new microwave.”
Pound shop / Dollar store
A pound shop (in the UK) or dollar store (in the US) is a store that sells a wide variety of cheap items – often for £1 or $1, respectively.
“I’m so short on cash right now, I think I’ll have to buy Dad’s birthday present at the dollar store.”
This is one of many instances where British and American words differ. Other examples that relate to shopping are American ‘drugstore’ vs British ‘chemist’ or ‘pharmacy’, and American ‘liquor store’ vs British ‘off-licence’.
Shop till you drop
If you see shopping as a fun activity rather than a necessity, you might sometimes shop till you drop. This refers to shopping for an extended period, perhaps all day long, until you are completely exhausted and need to rest!
“They were determined to make the most of their vacation, shopping till they dropped in the bustling markets of the city.”
Shopaholic
If you can relate to some of the excessive shopping behavior described here, it could be that you are a shopaholic. This is someone who is obsessed with shopping and buys things compulsively.
You could use this expression to describe yourself if you simply enjoy shopping and like to do it a lot, but it generally refers to a problem with buying too much.
“My mother is a shopaholic and a hoarder, so her house is a complete mess.”
Shop around
Some of these shopping idioms make a lot of sense financially. When making a significant purchase, it’s a good idea to explore different options and compare prices, quality, or services before settling on a final choice. This is referred to as shopping around.
You can do this online or in a physical store to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
“I’ve shopped around and I think this is the best price out there.”
Store and shop idioms
Talk shop
Here is the first of our shop idioms that isn’t really about shopping. When people talk shop they engage in conversations or discussions specifically related to their work, profession, or a particular industry.
It’s common to hear people use this phrase when they want to talk about business in a non-business setting.
“As the evening unfolded, the group of photographers started to relax and talk shop.”
Find some more idioms about talking here.
Set up shop
If you want to start a business selling something, you’ll need to set up shop. This simply means to establish yourself or a business somewhere.
“A new beauty salon has just set up shop down the road. Let’s go and check it out!”
Shut up shop
Sadly, not all of these shopping idioms are positive. When someone decides to shut up shop, they are permanently closing or discontinuing a business. They are usually ceasing operations because the business isn’t making enough money.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, the restaurant had no choice but to shut up shop.”
You may also hear close up shop as a variant of this. In British English, these idioms can also refer to just closing a business at the end of a day – so be careful to check the context.
A bull in a china shop
If someone says you are like a bull in a china shop it’s not a good thing. This animal idiom refers to someone who is clumsy, reckless, or lacking finesse in delicate or sensitive situations – just as you would imagine a bull might cause chaos and damage if let loose in a fragile china shop.
“Watching Tom navigate the formal dinner with his loud voice and brash mannerisms was like witnessing a bull in a china shop.”
But is a bull in a china shop really something to worry about? Let’s ask the Mythbusters!
Mom-and-pop shop
Here’s one of the more American idioms about shopping. A mom-and-pop shop or store refers to a small, independently owned and operated business, typically run by a couple or a family.
It emphasizes the idea of a modest, local establishment that offers personalized service and a close-knit, community-oriented atmosphere.
“The mom-and-pop shop down the road has been a staple of our neighborhood for decades.”
All over the shop
Here’s a nice British idiom for you. You can describe a person or a situation as all over the shop, meaning very disorganized. Or, you can use it to describe an assortment of things, meaning they are spread out over a large area in a haphazard way.
“I’m sorry I forgot our lunch date. My head has been all over the shop lately.”
“Kids, you can’t leave your toys all over the shop like that. Tidy up before dinner, please.”
Mind the store
This is a predominantly American idiom, although you may hear mind the shop as a British alternative. Either way, it means to be in charge of or monitor something temporarily, while the person usually in charge is away.
“Elise is minding the store while Hannah is on vacation this week.”
“I just need to pop out for 10 minutes, would you be ok to mind the shop while I’m gone?”
This phrase can be used to talk about any kind of job or responsibility, not just taking care of a shop or store.
Give away the store
Here’s another idiom heard mainly in the US, and especially as a business idiom. To give away the store is to concede or pay too much during a negotiation or other transaction.
“Think carefully about what you’re prepared to offer. There’s no need to give away the store.”
“I can’t believe you gave away the store for such short-term gain.”
Like a kid in a candy store/shop
If you compare someone to being like a kid in a candy shop, it means they are filled with excitement, wonder, and anticipation. This saying captures the feeling a child would have when surrounded by a wide variety of tempting candies.
“When John entered the technology expo, he looked like a kid in a candy shop.”
So there you have it! We hope you’ve enjoyed uncovering these vibrant English expressions that add flair to the world of commerce.
Have we missed any of your favorite idioms about shopping? We would love to hear your thoughts and insights. Leave a comment below and let us know which shopping idioms resonate with you the most.
