Cool MateBargain vs Cheap as chips
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Bargain
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Cheap as chips
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Bargain
| Bargain | Cheap as chips | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈbɑːɡən/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈbɑːrɡən/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //tʃiːp əz tʃɪps//🇺🇸 //tʃip əz tʃɪps// |
| Meaning | A deal where you get something for less money. | Very inexpensive or low-cost. |
| Example | I managed to find a great bargain at the market today. | 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 | noun | |
| Collocations | absolute, amazing, excellent, find, get, pick up, buy, price, rate, grand, make, strike, bargain between, bargain with, drive a hard bargain, somebody’s half of the bargain, somebody’s part of the bargain | cheap as chips meal, cheap as chips hotel, cheap as chips bargain |
| Antonyms | rip-off, scam | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'bargaining' - 'bargain' is a noun, 'bargaining' is the verb., Using 'bargain' when referring to a poor deal; it specifically implies a good deal., Misunderstanding the context - 'bargain' should refer to price negotiation. | 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 'bargain' to describe negotiations over prices in markets or stores. Avoid casual conversation in formal settings; instead, use 'agreement' or 'contract.' | "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: Bargain vs Cheap as chips
What's the difference between Bargain and Cheap as chips?
Bargain: A deal where you get something for less money. Cheap as chips: Very inexpensive or low-cost.
Which is more formal: Bargain and Cheap as chips?
Bargain is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Bargain: I managed to find a great bargain at the market today. Cheap as chips: That shirt was cheap as chips at the clearance sale!
Can I use Bargain and Cheap as chips interchangeably?
Not always. Bargain 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.