to keep up with the Joneses | Speak Mango

conversationshopping

to keep up with the Joneses

to try to own the same expensive things as your friends or neighbors · to strive to match others' consumption

💡 What's the situation?

This expression is for when you feel the social pressure to buy or own things that your friends, neighbors, or colleagues have, even if you don't really need them or can't comfortably afford them. It's all about keeping up appearances! 🛍️🏡

💬 Learn with dialogue!

My old car works perfectly fine, but sometimes I feel like I need a new one because all my friends just bought expensive SUVs.

Ah, you're just trying to keep up with the Joneses, Sarah! Don't feel pressured, stick to what you need.

🍯 Teacher's Tip!

💡 **Did you know?** The phrase originated in a comic strip called "When Bobby Socks Meet the Joneses" in 1913, depicting a family struggling to keep up with their wealthy neighbors. Today, it's a common idiom to describe consumerism driven by social comparison. Remember, smart shopping means buying what YOU need, not just what others have! 😉💸

🔥 Today's Mission!

When would you most naturally use 'to keep up with the Joneses'? A. When celebrating a new neighbor's welcome party. B. When you feel pressured to buy the latest smartphone because all your friends have it. C. When you find a great deal on an item at the supermarket.

Check Answer 👇

B

#idiom #consumerism #social comparison #spending habits

Related Topics

English conversationDaily EnglishOne sentence a dayEnglish expressionSpeak Mangostudy EnglishEnglish learninglearn EnglishShopping Englishto keep up with the Joneses meaningto keep up with the Joneses definition

📚 How about these expressions?

Is it worth it?

Is it good value for the money? · Does it justify the cost/effort?

What's the situation?

This question often pops into our heads when we're staring at something in a store, weighing the pros and cons. 🤔 It's not just about the price tag; it's about the value, durability, and the sheer joy or utility it might bring. Is it a 'yay' or a 'nay' for your wallet and your life? 💸✨

put it through its paces

test its performance · try it out thoroughly

What's the situation?

Found a new gadget or a snazzy pair of shoes? This phrase is your go-to for describing the exciting moment when you finally get to test out a new purchase or item and see what it can really do! 💪 Whether it's a new smartphone's camera or a car's engine, you want to 'put it through its paces' to make sure it lives up to the hype!

behind the counter

the area in a shop where employees stand to serve customers or keep items · usually a sales or service desk

What's the situation?

Ever wondered where all the cool stuff is kept, or where the staff usually hang out? 🤔 "Behind the counter" is that spot! It's where the magic happens, from ringing up sales to answering your questions. Think of it as the staff's command center! 🏪✨

to come up with the goods

to find or produce what is wanted or needed · to deliver what was promised

What's the situation?

You've been searching high and low for that specific vintage jacket, or perhaps a unique ingredient for a special recipe. When you finally find it, you've definitely **come up with the goods**! 🎉 It's like a mini shopping victory!

shop with purpose

to go shopping with a clear goal · to have a specific list of items to buy

What's the situation?

You know exactly what you need and you're not planning to wander aimlessly! 🎯 This expression is perfect for when you're on a mission to get things done efficiently, avoiding impulse buys and saving precious time. Say goodbye to endless browsing! 👋

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. 😉

📚 How about these expressions?

Is it worth it?

Is it good value for the money? · Does it justify the cost/effort?

What's the situation?

This question often pops into our heads when we're staring at something in a store, weighing the pros and cons. 🤔 It's not just about the price tag; it's about the value, durability, and the sheer joy or utility it might bring. Is it a 'yay' or a 'nay' for your wallet and your life? 💸✨

put it through its paces

test its performance · try it out thoroughly

What's the situation?

Found a new gadget or a snazzy pair of shoes? This phrase is your go-to for describing the exciting moment when you finally get to test out a new purchase or item and see what it can really do! 💪 Whether it's a new smartphone's camera or a car's engine, you want to 'put it through its paces' to make sure it lives up to the hype!

behind the counter

the area in a shop where employees stand to serve customers or keep items · usually a sales or service desk

What's the situation?

Ever wondered where all the cool stuff is kept, or where the staff usually hang out? 🤔 "Behind the counter" is that spot! It's where the magic happens, from ringing up sales to answering your questions. Think of it as the staff's command center! 🏪✨

to come up with the goods

to find or produce what is wanted or needed · to deliver what was promised

What's the situation?

You've been searching high and low for that specific vintage jacket, or perhaps a unique ingredient for a special recipe. When you finally find it, you've definitely **come up with the goods**! 🎉 It's like a mini shopping victory!

shop with purpose

to go shopping with a clear goal · to have a specific list of items to buy

What's the situation?

You know exactly what you need and you're not planning to wander aimlessly! 🎯 This expression is perfect for when you're on a mission to get things done efficiently, avoiding impulse buys and saving precious time. Say goodbye to endless browsing! 👋

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. 😉

Is it worth it?

Is it good value for the money? · Does it justify the cost/effort?

What's the situation?

This question often pops into our heads when we're staring at something in a store, weighing the pros and cons. 🤔 It's not just about the price tag; it's about the value, durability, and the sheer joy or utility it might bring. Is it a 'yay' or a 'nay' for your wallet and your life? 💸✨

put it through its paces

test its performance · try it out thoroughly

What's the situation?

Found a new gadget or a snazzy pair of shoes? This phrase is your go-to for describing the exciting moment when you finally get to test out a new purchase or item and see what it can really do! 💪 Whether it's a new smartphone's camera or a car's engine, you want to 'put it through its paces' to make sure it lives up to the hype!

behind the counter

the area in a shop where employees stand to serve customers or keep items · usually a sales or service desk

What's the situation?

Ever wondered where all the cool stuff is kept, or where the staff usually hang out? 🤔 "Behind the counter" is that spot! It's where the magic happens, from ringing up sales to answering your questions. Think of it as the staff's command center! 🏪✨

to come up with the goods

to find or produce what is wanted or needed · to deliver what was promised

What's the situation?

You've been searching high and low for that specific vintage jacket, or perhaps a unique ingredient for a special recipe. When you finally find it, you've definitely **come up with the goods**! 🎉 It's like a mini shopping victory!

shop with purpose

to go shopping with a clear goal · to have a specific list of items to buy

What's the situation?

You know exactly what you need and you're not planning to wander aimlessly! 🎯 This expression is perfect for when you're on a mission to get things done efficiently, avoiding impulse buys and saving precious time. Say goodbye to endless browsing! 👋

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. 😉

to keep up with the Joneses example

to try to own the same expensive things as your friends or neighbors synonym

another way to say to try to own the same expensive things as your friends or neighbors

alternatives to to try to own the same expensive things as your friends or neighbors

to strive to match others' consumption synonym

another way to say to strive to match others' consumption

alternatives to to strive to match others' consumption