keep up with the Joneses

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

to try to match the lifestyle of the people around you

Why this phrase?

A neighbourly name stands for everyone around you; the phrase pictures a treadmill of matching other people's purchases.

Example

“They bought a bigger car just to keep up with the Joneses.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

play second fiddle Neutral · CEFR B2

to be in a less important role than someone else

a rip-off Informal · CEFR B1

Something that is far too expensive for what it is.

bang for your buck Informal · CEFR B1

the value or impact you get for the money or effort spent

cost an arm and a leg Informal · CEFR B1

To be extremely expensive.

give someone a run for their money Neutral · CEFR B1

to compete nearly as well as a much stronger opponent, forcing them to work hard for victory

live it up Informal · CEFR B1

to celebrate or indulge freely, usually by spending more than usual

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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