trade down

verb

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

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

Chemmis, the city of Pan, retained its celebrity in the woollen trade down to the conquest of Egypt by the Romans.

From Project Gutenberg

There's no reason why we shouldn't get the cottage trade down at the Neck, and all along shore.

From Project Gutenberg

They were resting idle, the trade down the Mississippi below St. Louis having been cut off by the war.

From Project Gutenberg

Some hypnotists "trade down" symptoms by replacing a serious symptom with a minor one, while others just remove the symptom.

From Project Gutenberg

It's all there in the run, and that means he's keepin it to trade down among the 'Groups.'

From Project Gutenberg