on the cheap

phrase

: at minimum expense : cheaply

did the job on the cheap

Examples of on the cheap in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Walmart just had its worst day in four years, opening up an opportunity to scoop up shares on the cheap, according to JPMorgan. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026

The business side has to add up — but common sense must prevail, and Martinelli should not be sold on the cheap. — Kaya Kaynak, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Given the enormity and complexity of the task and what’s at stake, this cannot be done on the cheap. — Michael Posner, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Bag tags in particular may sustain rips and spills and are easy to replace on the cheap—there’s no need to hold onto any that aren’t in good condition, Lubega notes. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 28 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for on the cheap

• asleep
• upkeep
• beep
• creep
• deep
• heap
• jeep
• keep
• leap
• peep
• reap
• seep