These 10 idioms about gifts are such a steal – they’re a present from us to you for your next essay
- Even if you’re just window shopping through our list, we promise that none of these phrases is a rip-off
- We’ve also included a surprise treat at the end: some Cantonese slang about spending too much on an extravagant gift
Today is a gift; that is why it’s called the present. Photo: ShutterstockAs the holiday season approaches, malls are getting their winter makeovers and shops are preparing their seasonal sales. Buying gifts can be fun, but at times it feels like a burden. Here, we offer some English idioms and Cantonese slang to use during this merry season.
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1. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth
Meaning: don’t try to find fault with or question the value of something you’ve been given as a gift or favour
Example: My sister scolded me when I tried to find out the cost of the ring that my boyfriend had given me. She told me to never look a gift horse in the mouth.
2. Beware of Greeks bearing gifts
Meaning: do not trust enemies who bring you presents – they could very well be playing a trick; the phrase refers to the Trojan Horse used by the Greeks to trick the Trojans into letting down their guard
Example: After spreading rumours about me to all my friends, Candy suddenly wants to take me out to lunch. Rob told me to beware of Greeks bearing gifts.
3. It’s a steal
Meaning: something that costs much less than one expected or is typical
Example: This designer dress was a steal – you won’t believe how little I paid for it.
4. One-stop shop
Meaning: a shop where you can buy many different things
Example: This store is a one-stop shop that sells clothes for the entire family.
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5. Rip-off
Meaning: to cheat someone by charging too much money for something; the term can also mean to steal something
Example: I paid so much money for clothes that just fell apart. It was a rip-off.
6. Retail therapy
Meaning: the practice of shopping to make oneself feel more cheerful
Example: When I broke up with my boyfriend, I tried to make myself feel better with lots of retail therapy.
7. Shop till you drop
Meaning: to spend an exorbitant or unrestrained amount of time shopping
Example: Every weekend, my sister shops till she drops. I’m really worried about her credit card bills.
8. Splash out
Meaning: to spend money freely or extravagantly
Example: Tommy splashed out thousands of dollars on expensive shoes that he doesn’t even need.
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9. Stocking stuffer
Meaning: a small, usually inexpensive gift that is placed in a Christmas stocking
Example: This stationery set makes for the perfect stocking stuffer.
10. Window shopping
Meaning: to look at merchandise through store windows without intending to make any purchases
Example: This mall is only good for window shopping because all of the shops are so expensive.
大洗 daai6 sai2 (daai-saai): “big wash”
Meaning: someone who spends money in an extravagant, irresponsible way and always spends more than they should
In English: spendthrift; big spender; prodigal; high roller
Example: Jacky is so daai-saai that he splurged a month’s salary on one pair of shoes.
大出血 daai6 ceot1 hyut3 (daai-chut-huet): “big out blood”
Meaning: to pay so much for something that you go broke. In Chinese, it literally translates to spending so much money that your wallet “is bleeding profusely”.
In English: commit wallet homicide; spend a lot of money; break the bank
Example: His wallet really daai-chut-huet when he made plans for his girlfriend’s birthday.