to save a buck
- idiom
- Informal
- He always tries to save a buck by shopping during sales.
- trying to save a buck
- save a buck here and there
This is exactly the kind of stuff that normally these cheap machines cheap out on to save a buck and get this.
- This is exactly the kind of stuff that normally these cheap machines cheap out on to save a buck and get this.
- processor, you're watching this video where we're going to figure out the absolute best way to save a buck on your CPU.
- Buy parts on Newegg, borrow a folding table from your mom, download pirated Windows to save a buck, and put an ad on Craigslist.
Examples
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But while more and more people might have turned to Walmart to save a buck, that seems to have resulted in an uptick in consumers who aren't thrilled with the mega retailer.
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That show is pretty funny with how ridiculous some people get to save a buck!
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The administration of this hospital is only concerned with one thing... saving a buck.
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Right now, though, I feel like there are so many more important issues to focus on beyond just saving a buck.
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There will always be people out there who have to save a buck and can only do it cheaply.
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I do all the work myself so I can save a buck or two, and I share the process with you to hopefully inspire you to tackle projects in your home.
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They'll do anything to save a buck, except cut their own perks, of course.
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You might save a buck by buying it online through Amazon, but you'll help us build the Kingdom more effectively if you buy things through us.
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She is into natural living, being green, and tries to feed her family healthy, wholesome food while still couponing and saving a buck or two.
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Many families are looking for ways to save a buck on their grocery bills.
Synonyms
Use less of something to avoid waste
To put money aside instead of spending it now
Spend very little money by using only what you need
Use money or resources carefully to avoid waste
Spend less and live more simply because you have less money
Make your money last longer by spending carefully
To spend less money to save or avoid debt
Spend very little money and avoid buying things you do not need
To cut spending by removing unnecessary costs from a budget
Spend as little money as possible by buying low-quality things
To be very unwilling to spend money, even small amounts
Antonyms
How Economical
- Informal
- Informal
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to economize' is directly and compositionally built from 'save' (to keep/spare money) plus 'buck' (a dollar), so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to saving money (often a small amount). The pattern 'save + [amount]' is a transparent, common construction and is cross-linguistically accessible, making it understandable to a B1 learner.
Etymology
The phrase save a buck comes from using buck as a word for one dollar; imagine putting that single dollar into your piggy bank instead of spending it. So, save a buck means 'to spend less money' or 'economize'.