on the cheap

idiomatic phrase

: at minimum expense : cheaply
did the job on the cheap

Examples of on the cheap in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For years, the place to get money on the cheap has been Japan, where interest rates have held steadily at or near zero. Allison Morrow, CNN, 7 Aug. 2024 These budget-friendly TVs are a fantastic choice for those who want quality 4K images on the cheap in their own home. Gabriela Vatu, PCMAG, 24 June 2024 Investors looking for stock investments on the cheap should look abroad, according to Schroders investment strategist Bob Armstrong. Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 18 July 2024 Limited, flexible, and nominally deniable interventions—often on behalf of distasteful partners that the West is unwilling to countenance—can establish Russian influence on the cheap and secure lucrative revenue streams, such as from gold mining. Frederic Wehrey, Foreign Affairs, 9 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for on the cheap 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'on the cheap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of on the cheap was in 1859

Dictionary Entries Near on the cheap

Cite this Entry

“On the cheap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20cheap. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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