big-ticket items
Meaning(s)
1. things that are expensive to buy
Popularity
High
Professional
Medium
Social
How to Memorize
splash out on a big-ticket item
Analysis
Big-ticket items are not just things that are desired, they are often necessities for an individual or business. A 'big-ticket item' is something that is high priced or expensive. In a retail context, a big-ticket item is one with a selling price and profit margin higher than other items in the shop. This expression is used in a social context but is more common in a professional one.
Social Examples (Advance)
- The house itself was a bargain, but as it came with no furniture, we had to splash out on a number of big-ticket items such as an oven, sofa, and refrigerator before we could move in.
- Mattresses are a big-ticket item that are often sold with a considerable mark-up for the realtor.
Professional Examples (Advance)
- The brand new van was a big-ticket item, but it wasn't a luxury. The business simply couldn't operate without it.
- The bulk of the shop's profit last month came from the sale of just a few big-ticket items, as they have the biggest profit margins.