Unit 6

Word

Definition

Example

bargain

something you buy at a good price or cheaper than usual.

Those shoes were a bargain – I should have bought two pairs!

brand-new

completely new, never used before.

It's a brand-new video game – it only came out yesterday.

cash card

a card used to get money from a bank machine or pay in shops.

I need to go to the cash machine, but I can't find my cash card anywhere.

change

money you get back after paying more than the exact price.

Here's your receipt, and here's your change.

cost

(v) to have a price; (n) the amount of money something needs to be bought.

How much did your coat cost?

exchange

to give something and get something else in return.

I got a shirt for my birthday but it's too small so I'm going to exchange it for a bigger one.

half price

costing only 50% of the usual amount.

These jeans are normally €40, but I got them half price in the sales.

special offer

a product sold at a lower price for a short time.

We've got this cheese on special offer this week – three packs for the price of two.

order

to ask for something to be made or delivered.

We haven't got that book in stock, but we can order it for you.

rent

(v) to pay money for using something, like a flat; (n) the money paid to use it.

My grandparents don't own their flat – they rent it.

return

to bring something back to a shop because you don't want or need it.

I got a shirt for my birthday, but it's got a black mark on it so I'm going to return it.

second-hand

used or owned by someone else before.

They have lots of nice second-hand furniture in that shop.

voucher

a piece of paper or code that gives a discount or free item.

My uncle usually sends me a gift voucher so I can choose my own birthday present.

add up to

to make a total amount.

If you get all these clothes, it'll add up to over €100.

get by

to manage with the money or resources you have.

It's difficult to get by if you can't find a job.

give away

to give something to someone for free.

These clothes are too small for Arlo now, so I'll give them away.

pay back

to return money that you borrowed.

I'll pay you back on Friday, I promise.

run out of

to have no more of something left.

We've run out of milk, so I'll go and get some.

save up

to keep money to buy something later.

I'm saving up for a new bike.

shop around

to compare prices before buying something.

If you shop around, you might find the same phone cheaper.

take back

to return something to the place you bought it.

I bought a new shirt yesterday, but it's got a black mark on it so I'm going to take it back.

be on sb

to be paid for by someone else.

The meal is on me because I'm celebrating!

go on a spending spree

to buy a lot of things in a short time.

She won the lottery and went on a spending spree.

like a bull in a china shop

behaving in a clumsy or careless way.

Calm down, George – stop rushing around like a bull in a china shop!

shop till (sb) drop(s)

to shop for a very long time without stopping.

We've got all day tomorrow, so we can shop till we drop!

window shopping

looking at things in shops without buying them.

I haven't got any money, but I'm happy to go window shopping.

assistant

a person who helps customers in a shop or business.

The shop assistant helped me find my size.

buyer

a person who purchases something.

The buyer paid in cash for the car.

cashier

a person who takes payments in a shop or bank.

The cashier smiled and gave me my receipt.

customer

someone who buys goods or services.

The customer asked for a refund.

electrician

a person who installs or repairs electrical systems.

We called an electrician to fix the lights.

hairdresser

a person who cuts and styles hair.

My hairdresser always gives me a great haircut.

lawyer

a person who gives legal advice or defends people in court.

She works as a lawyer in a big city firm.

librarian

a person who works in or manages a library.

The librarian helped me find the book I needed.

manager

someone who controls or leads part of a business.

The manager spoke to the staff about the new rules.

mechanic

a person who repairs cars or machines.

The mechanic repaired my car in one day.

optician

a person who tests eyesight and sells glasses.

The optician said I need new glasses.

owner

a person who possesses or has something.

The shop owner greeted every customer personally.

receptionist

a person who greets visitors and answers phones in an office or hotel.

The receptionist gave us the keys to our room.

salesperson

someone whose job is to sell things.

The salesperson showed me how the product works.

seller

a person or company that sells something.

The seller offered a good price for the phone.

shopper

a person who is buying or looking for things to buy.

The mall was full of shoppers buying Christmas gifts.

supervisor

a person who watches over and guides others at work.

My supervisor checks all the reports before they're sent.

visitor

someone who comes to see a place or person.

The museum had hundreds of visitors today.

waitress

a woman who serves food and drinks in a restaurant or café.

The waitress brought our drinks with a smile.