price tag
C1Neutral to Formal
Definition
Meaning
A small label or sticker attached to a product that shows its price.
Figuratively, the cost or consequences of something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a noun phrase; can be literal (the physical tag) or metaphorical (the cost/final bill).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the compound noun identically.
Connotations
Neutral for the physical object; can carry negative connotations when used metaphorically (e.g., 'a high price tag' implying excessive cost).
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[determiner] + price tag + [prepositional phrase: on the item][verb: carry/have] + a + [adjective] + price tagVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “carry a high price tag”
- “the price tag of success/freedom/war”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in retail, marketing, and finance to discuss product pricing and cost analysis (e.g., 'The project carries a £2 million price tag.').
Academic
Used in economics, sociology, and policy discussions about the cost/impact of initiatives (e.g., 'The social price tag of the policy was underestimated.').
Everyday
Common in shopping contexts (e.g., 'I couldn't see the price tag on the jar.').
Technical
Less common; might appear in logistics or inventory management software referring to SKU data.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The manager asked us to price and tag all the new stock.
American English
- We need to price-tag these items before the sale starts.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The price tag on this shirt says £15.
- Look for the price tag on the toy.
- I checked the price tag before deciding to buy the shoes.
- The price tag was missing, so I asked the assistant.
- The environmental price tag of fast fashion is enormous.
- The proposed new stadium comes with a hefty price tag for taxpayers.
- Beyond the monetary price tag, the venture demanded a significant investment of time and energy.
- The geopolitical strategy carried a hidden price tag in terms of international goodwill.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a TAG on a gift, but this one tells you the PRICE you must pay.
Conceptual Metaphor
VALUE IS A LABEL / CONSEQUENCES ARE A BILL
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calques like 'ценный ярлык'. Use 'ценник' for the physical object and 'цена' or 'стоимость' for the metaphorical cost.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'price tag' as a verb (incorrect: 'They price tagged the goods.' Correct: 'They priced and tagged the goods.').
Practice
Quiz
In a business report, 'the project's price tag' most likely refers to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a compound noun, typically written as two separate words ('price tag'), though hyphenated ('price-tag') is sometimes seen, especially before a noun (e.g., 'price-tag analysis').
Yes, metaphorically. While you don't stick a physical tag on a service, you can refer to its cost as its 'price tag' (e.g., 'The consultancy service had a surprisingly low price tag.').
'Price' is the abstract cost. A 'price tag' is the physical manifestation of that price (the label) or, figuratively, a way to emphasize the final, often quantified, cost of something.
No, this is a common mistake. The *item* is expensive; the *price tag* shows a high price. Say 'The item with the £100 price tag is expensive' or 'The price tag shows a high price.'
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