chump change: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, Slang, Colloquial
Quick answer
What does “chump change” mean?
A very small or insignificant amount of money, especially when compared to a larger sum or considered trivial.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very small or insignificant amount of money, especially when compared to a larger sum or considered trivial.
Any amount, resource, or effort that is considered trivial, paltry, or not worth serious consideration.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originates in and is overwhelmingly more common in American English. It is understood in British English but used far less frequently and might sound distinctly American.
Connotations
The connotations are identical (dismissive/trivial), but the phrase may carry an additional 'American cultural import' nuance in the UK.
Frequency
High frequency in US informal contexts (esp. business, sports, media). Low frequency in UK, where alternatives like 'peanuts', 'pocket change', or 'a pittance' are more natural.
Grammar
How to Use “chump change” in a Sentence
be + chump change (It's chump change)consider + NP + chump change (He considers that chump change)NP + be + chump change + compared to/for + NP (A million is chump change for him)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to dismiss a small profit, fee, or investment. 'The consulting fee was chump change compared to the value we provided.'
Academic
Rare, except in informal speech among academics or in critical analyses of economic disparity.
Everyday
Common when discussing prices, salaries, or bets. 'They pay chump change for that dangerous job.'
Technical
Not used in technical contexts. Absent from formal financial, legal, or scientific discourse.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chump change”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chump change”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chump change”
- Using it in formal writing. Using it to describe a physically small amount of coins (it's about *value*, not form). Incorrect: 'I need chump change for the parking meter.' (This is just 'change').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, by metaphorical extension. It can refer to any trivial amount or effort (e.g., 'For an Olympic athlete, a 5k run is chump change').
Yes, 'chump' is a mild insult meaning a foolish or easily deceived person. The phrase 'chump change' indirectly references this, so use it cautiously about other people's money.
'Pocket change' is neutral, describing literal coins in your pocket. 'Chump change' is always evaluative and dismissive, emphasizing the insignificance of the amount.
Generally, no. It is too informal and dismissive for most formal business contexts. Use 'a nominal sum', 'a minimal amount', or 'negligible' instead.
A very small or insignificant amount of money, especially when compared to a larger sum or considered trivial.
Chump change is usually informal, slang, colloquial in register.
Chump change: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtʃʌmp ˈtʃeɪndʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtʃəmp ˈtʃeɪndʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not worth a plugged nickel”
- “A dime a dozen (for quantity/triviality, not money)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a foolish person (a CHUMP) getting excited over finding a few coins (CHANGE) on the street, while a wise person walks past ignoring it. The money is only for chumps.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS FOOD (chump change = chicken feed). IMPORTANCE IS SIZE / QUANTITY (trivial things are small).
Practice
Quiz
In which situation would 'chump change' be the MOST appropriate term?