Black Friday

   

SHOPPING

Idioms

• bargain hunting. If you spend time in the shops looking for items to buy at the lowest price, you go bargain hunting.
  • "During the sales I go bargain hunting with my friends!"
    
• it's a bargain. Said when an article is well below the usual price.
  • "That handbag goes beautifully with the dress, and at that price it's a bargain!"
    
• I can't afford it. If you can't afford something you don't have enough money to buy it.
  • "I'd love that jacket but I can't afford it!"
    
• it costs an arm and a leg. If an article or service costs an arm and a leg, it is very expensive indeed.
  • "The diamond engagement ring cost an arm and a leg!"
    
• it costs a fortune. Something that costs a fortune is very expensive.
  • "Look at the price of that bag - it costs a fortune!"
    
• it's a steal.The expression 'it's a steal'' means that something is so cheap that it’s almost as if you haven't paid anything for it.
  • "At that price it's a steal. You won't find it cheaper in any other shop."
    
• it's good value for money. Something that is good value for money is worth the money spent on it.
  • "The quality is excellent so it's good value for money."
    
• it's a bit pricey. The expression a bit pricey means that something is a bit expensive.
  • "Their clothes are a bit pricey but they have a wonderful selection"
    
• it's a rip-off. Something that costs much more than it should is called a rip-off.
  • "$10 for an orange juice? That's a rip-off!"
    
• shop around. If you shop around, you visit a number of shops selling similar articles in order to compare the prices.
  • "You can usually save money by shopping around."
    
• shop till you drop. If you shop till you drop, you go shopping for a very long time, until you are exhausted.
  • "If you go to London with Ashley, you'll shop till you drop, so take comfortable shoes!"
    
• shopping spree. If you go on a shopping spree, you enjoy a lively outing, usually with much spending of money.
  • "Liza is planning to go on a shopping spree as soon as she gets her bonus."
    
• shopping therapy. The term shopping therapy refers to the idea that buying things can make you feel better.
  • "A little shopping therapy can usually cheer up bored teenagers."
    
• splash out. If you splash out on something, you buy it even though it costs a lot of money.
  • "When he got a promotion Andy splashed out on a brand new car."
    
• window shopping. When people go window shopping, they look at things in shop windows, without actually purchasing anything.
  • "I haven't been paid yet, so I can only go window shopping."
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Conversation Questions:

●      Do you like shopping? For what kinds of things?

●      Have you ever spent too much? What did you buy? How did you feel afterwards?

●      How long do you usually shop for? Do you try to get your shopping done as fast as possible?

●      Do you shop online? What kinds of things do you buy online? What would you rather buy in person?

●      Think about the most expensive thing you have ever bought. Was it worth what you paid for it?

●      Do you prefer to shop alone or with other people? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

●      Who does the grocery shopping in your household? How often do they do it?

●      Are you a bargain hunter? Do you get excited about sales and discounts? When are the best sales in your country?

●      Which do you prefer? Buying things for yourself or for other people?

●      Do you collect points or stamps at any stores? Which loyalty programs are worthwhile?

●      In the United States, the Friday after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday and is famous for big sales and aggressive behaviour by shoppers. Have you ever had any problems with other shoppers?

●      Shoplifting is when someone takes something from a shop without paying. How common is this crime in your country? How do shops try to prevent shoplifting?

●      Have you ever worked in a shop? What was the store selling? Does that kind of job suit you?

●      If you were to open your own shop, what kinds of things would you like to sell?

●      Have you ever returned something to the shop you bought it from? Why did you return it? Did you get a refund?

●      Do you care where products are made? Do you prefer to buy things which are made in your own country? Why or why not?

●      Some countries have late-night or all-night shopping. What time of day do you like to shop?

●      Have you been shopping abroad? Which are the best cities for shopping?

Every year in November, people look for bargains on Black Friday. But did you know that the same day is also Buy Nothing Day?