keep up with the Joneses

keep up with the Joneses
   to live beyond your means or extravagantly
   The Joneses are your mythical neighbours who always seem able to afford the new curtains you have coveted or the garden tractor you have been collecting brochures about, and with whom you seek to compete.

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

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  • keep up with the Joneses — To keep on an equal social footing with one s neighbours, eg by having possessions of the same quality in the same quantity • • • Main Entry: ↑keep * * * keep up with the Joneses informal, showing disapproval phrase to try to be as rich,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • keep up with the Joneses — {v. phr.} To follow the latest fashion; try to be equal with your neighbors. * /Mrs. Smith kept buying every new thing that was advertised, finally Mr. Smith told her to stop trying to keep up with the Joneses and to start thinking for herself./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • keep up with the Joneses — {v. phr.} To follow the latest fashion; try to be equal with your neighbors. * /Mrs. Smith kept buying every new thing that was advertised, finally Mr. Smith told her to stop trying to keep up with the Joneses and to start thinking for herself./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • keep up with the joneses — People who try to keep up with the Joneses are competitive about material possessions and always try to have the latest and best things …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • keep up with the Joneses — ► keep up with the Joneses strive not to be outdone by one s neighbours or peers. Main Entry: ↑keep …   English terms dictionary

  • keep up with the Joneses — buy what the neighbors buy, keep pace    I can t afford to keep up with the Joneses. I m not rich! …   English idioms

  • keep up with the Joneses — verb To act or make purchases for status or image rather than out of need, especially for the purpose of competing with friends or neighbors. Do you really need a fancy new car or are you just trying to keep up with the Joneses? …   Wiktionary

  • keep\ up\ with\ the\ Joneses — v. phr. To follow the latest fashion; try to be equal with your neighbors. Mrs. Smith kept buying every new thing that was advertised, finally Mr. Smith told her to stop trying to keep up with the Joneses and to start thinking for herself …   Словарь американских идиом

  • keep up with the Joneses —    People who try to keep up with the Joneses are competitive about material possessions and always try to have the latest and best things.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • keep up with the Joneses — try to be the same as your neighbors He always worries about keeping up with the Joneses and is always frustrated …   Idioms and examples

  • keep up with the Joneses — to have all the same things as other people to avoid looking poor or old fashioned. In this neighborhood, keeping up with the Joneses has become an art form …   New idioms dictionary

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