|
Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 7/14/2020 Posts: 320 Neurons: 1,958
|
Hi,
Is there an expression, a phrasal verb or otherwise, that means "to switch to a less advanced, expensive, etc., product or service" probably because one is financially embarrassed?
I'd appreciate your help.
|
|
 Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 7/8/2010 Posts: 23,388 Neurons: 94,875
|
In general to spend less money is to economise. That would involve switching to cheaper products, if you can't do without them. Quote:economize verb [ I ] (UK usually economise) UK /iˈkɒn.ə.maɪz/ US /iˈkɑː.nə.maɪz/ to try to save money by reducing the amount that you are spending: You could economize on food by not eating in restaurants all the time. A lot of companies are trying to economize by not taking on new staff.
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 7/14/2020 Posts: 320 Neurons: 1,958
|
Thank you, but I'm looking for an expression whose object refers to a less expensive product or service.
E.g. He decided to ____ the service because he doesn't earn as much money as he used to.
|
|
Rank: Newbie
Joined: 9/19/2019 Posts: 7 Neurons: 162,195 Location: Jämsä, Province of Western Finland, Finland
|
Not exactly what you are looking for, but you could use the word affordable in your sentence
affordable
adj. considered to be within one's financial means.
|
|
 Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 7/8/2010 Posts: 23,388 Neurons: 94,875
|
I don't really think their is anything.
He decided to switch to a cheaper service...
The company can do something to the service, but you can't.
I have seen a thread on 'downsize' which is to move to something smaller - eg sell your house or car and buy a cheaper one.
To go downmarket is perjorative - that implies something is not just cheaper but inferior - not just cheap but tacky and tasteless. It is not a term you would use when you are just talking about spending less money, because you can still buy things for an appropriate quality for the price you pay.
|
|
 Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 9/12/2011 Posts: 34,856 Neurons: 234,557 Location: Livingston, Scotland, United Kingdom
|
Well - if one changes to a better, more expensive service or product, one "upgrades".
So the opposite is "downgrade". However, that has the same unfortunate implications that thar mentioned - in fact the word "downgrade" is used a a synonym for debase, degrade, demean.
Like the others, I can't think of a good single word. "Reduce" might work in some cases, but "He decided to switch to a (lesser/cheaper/more basic) service . . ." seems more natural to me.
|
|
Guest |