Phrase guide

on the cheap

prep_phrase · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Synonym of cheaply or economically.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: cheaply or economically

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

Too cheaply or economically, inexpensive and affordable to the point of substandard quality.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: informal

Examples

  • Well, if you buy things on the cheap what do you expect?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: halvalla — too economically
  • Russian: по дешёвке (po dešóvke) — too economically
  • Spanish: de baratillo — too economically
  • Vietnamese: rẻ tiền — too economically