joneses
C1informal, idiomatic
Definition
Meaning
A plural noun referring to the family Jones, used idiomatically as a standard of comparison for social status and material possessions.
Figuratively, a peer group or neighbours whose social or material achievements one feels compelled to match or surpass.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Almost exclusively used in the fixed phrase 'keep up with the Joneses'. It is a proper noun lexicalised into a common noun within this idiom.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The idiom is common in both varieties. No significant structural or meaning differences.
Connotations
Equally carries connotations of social competition, materialism, and sometimes futility in both cultures.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English media, but widely understood and used in British English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
V + up + with + NP (the Joneses)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “keep up with the Joneses”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in marketing and consumer behaviour analysis to describe aspirational purchasing.
Academic
Appears in sociology, economics, and psychology papers discussing social comparison theory and consumption.
Everyday
Common in casual conversation about lifestyle, spending, and social pressure.
Technical
Not typically used in highly technical contexts outside the social sciences.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They've been jonesing for a new car ever since the neighbours got one.
- He's totally jonesing after that promotion.
American English
- I'm jonesing for a coffee right now.
- She's been jonesing to go on vacation.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Their new swimming pool is just to keep up with the Joneses.
- The relentless drive to keep up with the Joneses can lead to significant financial stress.
- Sociologists argue that the phenomenon of 'keeping up with the Joneses' is a primary driver of unsustainable consumption in developed economies.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a family named JONES living next door, and you're always running (JOGGING) to catch UP with their new purchases.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL STATUS IS A RACE / MATERIAL POSSESSIONS ARE A MEASURE OF WORTH.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation as 'Джонсы'. The idiom is best translated as 'гнаться за соседями' or 'не отставать от других'.
- The word is plural in form and concept; it does not refer to a single person.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'Jones' (singular) in the idiom: *'keep up with the Jones'.
- Using it as a countable noun outside the idiom: *'We have two joneses on our street.'
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of the idiom 'keep up with the Joneses'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the idiom is exclusively 'keep up with the Joneses'. The plural form is essential as it represents a generic, plural peer group.
Yes, that is its original, literal use. For example, 'The Joneses are coming for dinner on Sunday.' The idiomatic usage is an extension of this.
It is an informal verb (often in the progressive form) meaning 'to have a strong craving or desire for something'. It is a separate, slang usage derived from 'jones' as a noun for a drug addiction, not directly from the family name 'Jones'.
It generally carries a negative or critical connotation, implying shallow materialism and social pressure. It is rarely used in a positive sense.