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

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

Many of these workers sold their shares for pennies to a class of savvy entrepreneurs, who thus gained ownership of entire industries on the cheap. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026

European sources said the EuroLeague’s new model mirrors an NBA Europe concept of converting shareholder clubs into permanent franchises and selling permanent franchise spots, but on the cheap. — Joe Vardon, New York Times, 13 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