What is the difference between haggle and knock off when negotiating a shopping price?

These two relate to lowering a price but from opposite sides. When you haggle, you are the buyer trying to persuade the seller to drop the price substantially through discussion. Knock off describes the seller reducing the price by a set amount, as in the example where the shop owner knocked 50 dollars off the price of a suit. So the buyer haggles and the seller knocks off an amount.

How do I use the phrasal verb go with to talk about matching clothes in English?

Go with means one item complements or suits another in your overall look or style. You use it to say a piece pairs nicely with something else, such as saying this hat goes really well with the red coat. It can also mean choosing a particular item. The phrasing works for colour, style, or any clothing combination you want to describe.

What does it mean to wear in or break in new shoes?

Wearing in, also called breaking in, describes the process of using a new clothing item, especially shoes, until it stops feeling stiff and starts to fit your body comfortably. New shoes often hurt at first, so you wear them as often as possible until they soften and conform. The example given is my feet hurt, I need to wear my shoes in.

Is put on the opposite of take off when talking about clothes?

Yes, put on and take off are direct opposites. Put on signifies the act of dressing in a piece of clothing, while take off means removing a garment you are currently wearing. Both can stretch beyond clothing too. Put on can mean placing an item on a surface, as in put your items on the counter, and take off can mean removing an object from a surface.

What is the difference between pick up and pick out when shopping?

Although they look similar, they mean different things. Pick up means to buy something, often something unplanned or bought on a whim, such as picking up a stylish bag on the market. Pick out means to make a selection from several options, and it applies to any kind of item, not only clothes, like choosing flowers for a friend's birthday from a range available.

When should I use dress up versus stand out to describe smart clothing?

Dress up means putting on stylish, elegant clothing, usually for a special occasion, as when you have a date and decide to dress up. Stand out describes an item that looks distinctive and noticeably different from everything around it, such as a vibrant blouse that stands out from the rest. One describes how you choose to dress and the other describes how an item catches the eye.

What phrasal verb describes returning an item to a shop because it does not fit?

The phrasal verb is take back. It means bringing an item back to the store for reasons such as dissatisfaction, a poor fit, or some damage or flaw. A typical use is saying you are going to take something back to the store to see whether you can get a bigger size. It captures the everyday act of returning goods that did not work out.

Useful Phrasal Verbs for Shopping in English

International English Test Editorial Team·20 Jan 2024·4 min read

Not everyone possesses the skill to articulate their desires in English. Today, you will gain knowledge of English phrasal verbs associated with shopping. Click to familiarize yourself with expressions relevant to shopping!

Presently, I provide you with English phrasal verbs associated with shopping. After all, it’s common knowledge that we all enjoy acquiring something new for ourselves. Unfortunately, not everyone is adept at articulating their desires in English.

What is your English level?

Find out your A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 level of English with our online test and receive your English certificate.

Test Your English

Go with

To complement effectively with another element. When purchasing clothing, the desire is for it to complement one’s overall look, style, or another piece of clothing.

It can also indicate selecting a specific item.

This hat goes really well with the red coat.

Beatdown

If you’re able to discuss the price with the seller, you can “haggle” to convince them to substantially lower the price. This action is typically undertaken by the buyer.

A related phrasal verb is “knock off,” indicating that the seller lowers the price by a specific amount. This action is typically initiated by the seller.

The owner of the shop knocked $50 off the price of the suit I wanted to buy.

Pick up

The final phrasal verb in our list essentially denotes making a purchase. It may imply, although not always, acquiring something unplanned or purchasing something on a whim.

I picked up a really stylish bag on the market yesterday.

Put on

This is another frequently used phrasal verb, signifying the act of putting on a piece of clothing. It can also refer to placing an item on a surface.

Put your items on the counter, please.

Do up

This excellent English phrasal verb refers to securing or attaching something.

I couldn’t do up the buttons on this dress by myself, so I asked the shop assistant to help me.

Take back

This is another crucial phrasal verb that indicates the act of bringing back an item to the store due to reasons such as dissatisfaction, improper fit, or damage or flaws in some manner.

I’m going to take this back to the store and see if I can get a bigger size.

Stand out

A preferred term among many fashionable women, it signifies being distinctive and more prominent than other things, standing out noticeably and being visibly different.

This blouse stands out from the rest. I love this vibrant color!

Pick out

To make a selection. This phrasal verb isn’t limited to discussions about shopping for clothes; it can also be applied to choosing any item from a variety of options available for purchase.

I need to pick out the flowers for my friend’s birthday.

Sell out

I’m confident that you’ve experienced a scenario where the desired item is unavailable because it has been completely sold out.

Sound familiar?

The shop sold out all the goods in just two weeks.

Dress up

This phrasal verb straightforwardly indicates wearing stylish and elegant clothing, typically reserved for special occasions.

I have a date, so I should dress up.

Wear in

When you purchase a new clothing item, particularly shoes, and it doesn’t fit well initially, you “break it in” by wearing it until it conforms to your body and becomes comfortable.

To break in new shoes, we strive to wear them as frequently as we can.

My feet hurt. I need to wear my shoes in.

Look out for

This phrasal verb signifies the act of monitoring or checking regularly for something, or actively searching for a particular thing.

We were looking out for a swimsuit for Jessie.

Take off

This is the antonym of “put on.” It indicates taking off an item of clothing that is currently worn. It can also have a broader meaning, referring to the action of removing an object from a surface.

Please take your shoes off and stand on the scale.

Are you C1 Advanced English?

Get your C1 Advanced English certificate now!

✓ Add your certificate to your resume

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Get your C1 English certificate

I trust that these phrasal verbs will prove beneficial when you engage in shopping in a foreign country.

Your Likes and Shares would be greatly appreciated!

Frequently Asked Questions

International English Test Editorial Team

ALTE Associate Member · UK English assessment provider · Est. 2023

Found this helpful? Share it:

Share on X Share on LinkedIn Share on WhatsApp

CV & Career