trade down

British  

verb

1. (intr, adverb) to sell a large or relatively expensive house, car, etc, and replace it with a smaller or less expensive one

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trade down Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

The launch of a lower priced device also introduces the risk of trade down, meaning consumers that were possibly willing to purchase a more expensive MacBook might now choose to buy the cheaper one.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

Bostic described an economy in which affluent families continue to spend while others trade down and cut back.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

He anticipates a 12% increase to the overall average selling price as some customers to trade down to cheaper models.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 10, 2026

Rio Tinto’s London shares trade down 2.3% at 6,055 pence, while Glencore rises 11% to 457.95 pence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

It is one that, presuming this highly unlikely thing—France becoming commercially intelligent—would any year now enable her entirely to pocket the West African trade down to Lagos from Senegal.

From West African studies by Kingsley, Mary Henrietta