mate's rates: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium (Informal)Informal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “mate's rates” mean?
A special, reduced price offered to a friend or acquaintance, typically below the normal commercial rate.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A special, reduced price offered to a friend or acquaintance, typically below the normal commercial rate.
A discounted or favourable price given based on a personal relationship, implying a favour rather than a standard business transaction. It can imply an informal, reciprocal understanding within a social network.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily a British and Commonwealth (e.g., Australian, New Zealand) term. In American English, similar concepts are expressed with phrases like 'friends and family discount', 'buddy rate', or 'hookup'.
Connotations
In the UK/AU/NZ, it strongly connotes camaraderie, informal trust, and the 'blokeish' economy. In the US, the equivalent terms carry similar informal connotations but lack the specific cultural nuance of 'mate'.
Frequency
Very frequent in informal UK/AU/NZ contexts. Less common and not idiomatic in standard American English, where alternatives are preferred.
Grammar
How to Use “mate's rates” in a Sentence
offer someone mate's ratesdo something for mate's ratesat mate's ratesget the mate's rates treatmentVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mate's rates” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He agreed to mate's-rate the job for us.
- I can't mate's-rate this, sorry; the parts are too expensive.
adverb
British English
- He did it mate's rates.
adjective
British English
- It was a mate's-rates deal.
- He's a mate's-rates plumber for all his friends.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare in formal business; used in small, personal trades or side hustles among acquaintances.
Academic
Virtually never used.
Everyday
Common in informal conversations about services (plumbing, car repair, photography, etc.) between friends.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mate's rates”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mate's rates”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mate's rates”
- Using 'mate rates' (omitting the possessive 's').
- Using it in formal writing.
- Assuming it's understood in American English contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is strictly informal and colloquial, used primarily in spoken language and informal digital communication among friends and acquaintances.
It would sound unusual and distinctly non-American. Americans typically use phrases like 'friends and family discount', 'buddy rate', or informally, 'a hookup'.
Yes. It is the possessive form: the rates belonging to a mate. 'Mate rates' (without the apostrophe) is considered incorrect.
Not necessarily. It primarily refers to the price. However, it can sometimes humorously imply a more casual or less formal arrangement, though the quality may still be high.
A special, reduced price offered to a friend or acquaintance, typically below the normal commercial rate.
Mate's rates: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmeɪts ˌreɪts/, and in American English it is pronounced N/A (Term not standard in AmE; approximate pronunciation would follow spelling: /ˈmeɪts ˌreɪts/). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On the house”
- “A labour of love”
- “Do someone a solid (AmE)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a plumber who is your MATE. Instead of his usual RATES, he gives you a better price.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL RELATIONSHIP IS COMMERCIAL CURRENCY (Friendship can be exchanged for financial benefit).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'mate's rates' MOST appropriate?