Black Friday Vocabulary for ESL Students: Words, Idioms, and Money Expressions

Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, and it comes with its own special vocabulary. For ESL students, learning these words, phrases, idioms, and money expressions will make it easier to understand sales, promotions, and shopping conversations in English.

What is Black Friday?

Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States and marks the start of the holiday shopping season. Stores offer major discounts, and many open very early, sometimes even at midnight. Shoppers often line up hours in advance to take advantage of these deals. Understanding Black Friday vocabulary can help you navigate sales both in-store and online.

Essential Black Friday Vocabulary

Basic Vocabulary

1. Bargain – Something bought at a much lower price than usual.
   Example: “This jacket was a bargain—I saved €40!”
2. Deal – A special offer or reduced price that makes a product attractive.
   Example: “I found a great deal on a new laptop.”
3. Sale / The Sales – A period when stores reduce prices on many items.
   Example: “I’m waiting for the winter sales to buy new shoes.”
4. Sold Out – When an item is no longer available for purchase.
   Example: “The new smartphone was sold out within hours.”
5. 50% Off – The price of an item is reduced by half.
   Example: “All winter coats are 50% off today.”
6. €50 Off – A fixed reduction in price.
   Example: “This vacuum cleaner has €50 off the usual price.”
7. Rip-Off – Something that is overpriced or unfairly expensive.
   Example: “This handbag is a rip-off; it costs double what it’s worth.”
8. Discount – A reduction in the normal price of an item.
   Example: “Students get a 10% discount on all textbooks.”
9. To Try On – To put on clothes or shoes to see if they fit.
   Example: “I need to try on these shoes before buying them.”
10. To Return Something – To take or send back an item to get your money back or exchange it.
    Example: “I returned the shirt because it was too small.”
11. Refund – Receiving your money back after returning an item.
    Example: “The store gave me a full refund for the damaged kettle.”
12. Credit Note – A voucher allowing you to buy something of the same value after a return.
    Example: “They gave me a credit note, so I can buy something else later.”
13. Goods / Merchandise – Products sold in a store.
    Example: “The shop sells a wide range of electronic goods.”
14. Voucher – A coupon (paper or digital) that gives a discount or can be exchanged for goods.
    Example: “I got a €10 voucher for my next purchase.”
15. Massive Discount – A very large price reduction.
    Example: “All TVs are on a massive discount this weekend.”
16. Guarantee / Warranty – A promise from the store to repair, replace, or refund a product under certain conditions.
    Example: “This phone comes with a two-year guarantee.”

Advanced Shopping Vocabulary

17. Price Match – Offering the same price as a competitor.
    Example: “The store will price match any competitor’s offer.”
18. Dodgy – Dishonest, unreliable, or poor quality.
    Example: “That website looks dodgy; I wouldn’t buy from there.”
19. Scam – A fraudulent scheme to trick people out of money.
    Example: “I almost fell for an online shopping scam yesterday.”
20. Mark-Up – An increase in price above the original cost.
    Example: “The retailer marked up the product by 20%.”
21. Mark-Down – A reduction in price from the original.
    Example: “All winter jackets have been marked down by 30%.”

20 Idioms and Expressions Related to Shopping

1. Shop till you drop – Spend a long time shopping until you are exhausted.
   Example: “We went to the mall and shopped till we dropped.”
2. Window shopping – Looking at items without buying them.
   Example: “I was just window shopping; I didn’t buy anything.”
3. Bargain hunting – Searching carefully for the best deals.
   Example: “Black Friday is perfect for bargain hunting.”
4. Splash out – Spend a lot of money on something special.
   Example: “I decided to splash out on a new laptop.”
5. Pay through the nose – Pay far more than something is worth.
   Example: “I had to pay through the nose for concert tickets.”
6. A steal – A very good deal.
   Example: “This designer bag was a steal!”
7. Cost an arm and a leg – Very expensive.
   Example: “That new phone costs an arm and a leg.”
8. Shop around – Compare prices before buying.
   Example: “I like to shop around before buying electronics.”
9. Foot the bill – Pay for something, often unexpectedly.
   Example: “I had to foot the bill for my friends’ lunch.”
10. On the house – Free of charge.
    Example: “The store gave me a free gift on the house.”
11. In the bag – A deal or purchase is guaranteed.
    Example: “I found the TV I wanted; it’s in the bag.”
12. Go Dutch – Each person pays for themselves.
    Example: “We went shopping together and decided to go Dutch for lunch.”
13. Hit the shops – Go shopping.
    Example: “We hit the shops early to get the Black Friday deals.”
14. Throw money around – Spend money freely.
    Example: “Some people throw money around on Black Friday without thinking.”
15. Get your money’s worth – Receive good value for your spending.
    Example: “This blender was expensive, but I really got my money’s worth.”
16. Buy one, get one free (BOGO) – A promotion giving a free item with purchase.
    Example: “I bought a shirt and got another one free—BOGO deal!”
17. Out of stock – When an item is unavailable.
    Example: “The best deals were gone; most items were out of stock.”
18. Pay top dollar – Pay a high price for something.
    Example: “I had to pay top dollar for the latest gaming console.”
19. Get a good deal – Buy something at a fair or reduced price.
    Example: “I got a good deal on a pair of winter boots.”
20. A hot ticket – Something very popular and in high demand.
    Example: “The new smartphone was a hot ticket this Black Friday.”

Money Expressions

1. A fool and his money are soon parted – People who aren’t careful with money lose it quickly.
   Example: “He bought every gadget on Black Friday; a fool and his money are soon parted.”
2. Money talks – Money can influence people’s decisions.
   Example: “Money talks, and the seller accepted my offer.”
3. To live beyond your means – Spend more than you earn.
   Example: “She’s living beyond her means by buying luxury items every week.”
4. To cost a pretty penny / To cost an arm and a leg – Very expensive.
   Example: “That gaming console costs a pretty penny.”
5. Bought for a song / Costs next-to-nothing – Very cheap or excellent value.
   Example: “I got this jacket for a song during the Black Friday sales.”
6. To be flat broke – Have no money.
   Example: “After all the shopping, I’m flat broke.”
7. Money to burn / To be loaded – Have a lot of money.
   Example: “He’s loaded and bought the most expensive TV.”

Phrasal Verbs About Money

1. Dip into your savings – Use money from your savings account.
   • Example: “I had to dip into my savings to buy that laptop.”
2. Save on something – Spend less than usual.
   • Example: “You can save on electricity by turning off unused lights.”
3. Set aside money / Set money aside – Save money for a specific purpose.
   • Example: “I set aside money for Black Friday to avoid overspending.”
4. Pay off – Completely pay a debt or loan.
   • Example: “I finally paid off my credit card bill from last month.”
5. Splash out on – Spend a lot of money on something special.
   • Example: “I decided to splash out on a new smartphone during the sale.”
6. Cut back on – Reduce spending on something.
   • Example: “I’m trying to cut back on eating out to save money.”
7. Run up – Accumulate a bill or debt.
   • Example: “He ran up a huge credit card bill buying gifts for everyone.”
8. Pay in installments – Pay for something in smaller parts over time.
   • Example: “I bought the TV and paid in installments to make it easier on my budget.”
9. Take out – Borrow money from a bank or financial institution.
   • Example: “I had to take out a loan to buy my car.”
10. Fork out – Spend money, often reluctantly or unexpectedly.
    • Example: “I had to fork out €100 for a parking ticket.”
11. Chip in – Contribute money to a common goal or shared expense.
    • Example: “We all chipped in to buy a gift for our teacher.”
12. Shell out – Spend money, often more than expected.
    • Example: “I had to shell out a lot for last-minute Black Friday deals.”
13. Go over – Spend more money than intended or exceed a budget.
    • Example: “I went over my budget because the discounts were too tempting.”
14. Put aside – Save or reserve money for a future purpose.
    • Example: “I put aside some money each month for holiday shopping.”
15. Blow (money) on – Spend a lot of money, often carelessly.
    • Example: “He blew all his savings on the latest gadgets.”

Conclusion

Learning Black Friday vocabulary, idioms, money expressions, and phrasal verbs will make it much easier for ESL students to understand sales, promotions, and shopping conversations. With these words and phrases, you’ll be ready to shop confidently, spot bargains, and understand natural English around deals and discounts.

Read More about Black Friday History

Related Pages

• Black Friday (Reading Comprehension)
• Black Friday (Activities and Useful Links for ESL Students)
• Shopping Phrases in English