bargain basement meaning
Bargain Basement
Definition: A “bargain basement” refers to a section of a store, particularly in retail, where items are sold at significantly reduced prices. It can also refer metaphorically to any situation where prices are so low that they hardly reflect the original value of the items being sold.
Usage: The term is often used to describe discount sales or clearance sales in retail environments. It can also be employed figuratively to illustrate a sense of devaluation or poor quality in a given situation, product, or service.
Example Sentence: “We found some great winter coats in the bargain basement of the department store.”
Etymology: The phrase “bargain basement” combines “bargain,” which comes from the Middle English “bargayne” (meaning to negotiate or haggle over a price), and “basement,” which originates from the Old French “bas” (meaning low) and refers to a lower level of a building. The pairing suggests the lowest-priced items available, often physically located in the basement of a store.
Pronunciation: /bɑrɡɪn ˈbeɪsmənt/ (Phonetic transcription: /ˈbɑː.ɡɪn/ /ˈbeɪs.mənt/)
Synonyms:
- Discount section
- Clearance sale
- Sale rack
- Reduced-price area
Antonyms:
- Premium selection
- Full-price items
- High-end merchandise
- Luxury goods
Overall, “bargain basement” invokes the idea of value shopping, appealing to budget-conscious consumers looking for the best deals.
- I found this designer jacket in the bargain basement of the department store for half the original price.
- The new furniture shop had a fantastic bargain basement section filled with great deals and clearance items.
- After searching through the bargain basement, I discovered some hidden treasures that were practically brand new.
- Her favorite pastime is hunting for vintage records in the bargain basement of the thrift store.
- The electronics store often has a bargain basement where you can find last year’s models at a fraction of the cost.
Take your English to the next level with YouTube videos. Tombik.com