Cool MateAffordable vs Cheap as chips
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Affordable
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Cheap as chips
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Affordable
| Affordable | Cheap as chips | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈfɔːdəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈfɔːrdəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //tʃiːp əz tʃɪps//🇺🇸 //tʃip əz tʃɪps// |
| Meaning | Something that is not too expensive. | Very inexpensive or low-cost. |
| Example | We offer quality products at **affordable prices**. | That shirt was cheap as chips at the clearance sale! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | affordable housing, affordable prices, affordable option, affordable healthcare | cheap as chips meal, cheap as chips hotel, cheap as chips bargain |
| Antonyms | expensive, costly, high-priced | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'reachable', thinking it means 'within reach'., Using 'affordable' to describe something that is just cheap without considering quality., Saying 'affordable for' instead of 'affordable to' when referring to who can pay. | Confusing the idiom with 'cheap' which might imply poor quality instead., Using it in overly formal contexts where idioms are inappropriate., Mispronouncing or misspelling 'chips' as 'chipped'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'affordable' to describe products or services that are reasonably priced. It's suitable in both formal and informal contexts but avoid it in discussions about luxury items. | "Cheap as chips" is often used in casual conversation. It’s suitable for informal contexts but not typically used in formal writing or speech. |
Frequently asked questions: Affordable vs Cheap as chips
What's the difference between Affordable and Cheap as chips?
Affordable: Something that is not too expensive. Cheap as chips: Very inexpensive or low-cost.
Which is more formal: Affordable and Cheap as chips?
Affordable is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Affordable: We offer quality products at **affordable prices**. Cheap as chips: That shirt was cheap as chips at the clearance sale!
Can I use Affordable and Cheap as chips interchangeably?
Not always. Affordable and Cheap as chips are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.