trade down

trade down

To exchange something larger or more expensive for something smaller or less expensive. A noun or pronoun can be used between "trade" and "down." They were forced to trade down their house after Jim lost his job and they could no longer afford the mortgage. A lot of people are trading their expensive cable TV packages down for low-cost digital streaming subscriptions.
See also: down, trade
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

trade down

Exchange for something of lower value or price, as in They bought a smaller boat, trading down for the sake of economy. Similarly, trade up means "make an exchange for something of higher value or price," as in They traded up to a larger house. [First half of 1900s]
See also: down, trade
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

trade down

v.
To trade something for something else of lower value or price: My SUV used a lot of gas, so I traded it down for a smaller, more economical car. My parents traded down their house for a condominium in Arizona.
See also: down, trade
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • trade up
  • come by (something) honestly
  • come by honestly
  • glass over
  • cost an arm and a leg
  • cost/pay an arm and a leg
  • status symbol
  • symbol
  • a status symbol
  • wardrobing
References in periodicals archive
VERDICT: Trade down - Value version fine for putting in sauces.
Value put to the test; Cash Queens
Score: 4/5 VERDICT: Trade down - Value version fine for putting in sauces.
PUTTING VALUE TO THE TEST
With gains in craft and trade downs to sub-premium, "the middle is no place to be in the beer industry," Mr.
Beverage alcohol remains resilient, Nielsen reports
Analyst Andrew Saunders said the group appeared well positioned to take advantage of the trend among consumers to trade down to cheaper products.
Producer reduces reliance on M&S
Analyst Andrew Saunders said that the group appeared well positioned to take advantage of the trend among consumers to trade down to cheaper products.
Value sector boosts Northern Foods
The survey lists the top three "trade down" categories as canned food, postal/shipping and snack food.
Shoppers want value, promos
When asked if they would consider buying a different type of car, 17 per cent said they would trade down.
Fuel rises fail to curb use of cars
At the conclusion of the extended session, Humana (HUM) ended up 10.7% after reports from The Wall Street Journal of a takeover interest from Wal-Mart (WMT), which ended afterhours trade down 1.2%.
Afterhours Session Wrap
Lewis said the remaining 95% of consumers are "still in the game" but their shopping behavior is flux, as they "reorder their shopping lists, change where and how they shop, trade down across categories and trade down on brands." Mr.
John J. Lewis , president and CEO of Nielsen Consumer North America, presided at the recent Nielsen Consumer 360 conference in Orlando, FL
Minister for Women, Ruth Kelly said, 'Just because a woman trades down her hours does not mean she should have to trade down her status.
Move to close the gender pay-gap
Craftsman Jim puts the boom in his trade down to the huge interest in Irish culture and music sparked by the smash hit Riverdance show.
Drumming up trade is easy, no kidding
"With beer, some craft consumers are willing to trade down to the better quality super premiums from the big guys.
Alcoholic beverage retailers see opportunity in off-premise