Trade down
verb
To choose something that is cheaper or of lower quality than what you originally had or wanted.
With decrease in their income, they had to trade down their car to a cheaper model.
Often appears as...
- trade down to
- trade down for
verb
In finance, it refers to selling an asset or security with a high value and buying another one with a lower value.
The investor decided to trade down his shares in company A for shares in company B that were less valuable.
Often appears as...
- trade down stocks
- trade down assets
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
verb
In sports, it refers to exchanging a high draft pick for one or more lower picks.
The team decided to trade down in the draft in order to get multiple players instead of just one star player.
Often appears as...
- trade down draft pick
- trade down in draft
Usage tips
Informal
Technical
verb
To choose something that is cheaper or of lower quality than what you originally had or wanted.
With decrease in their income, they had to trade down their car to a cheaper model.
Often appears as...
- trade down to
- trade down for
verb
In finance, it refers to selling an asset or security with a high value and buying another one with a lower value.
The investor decided to trade down his shares in company A for shares in company B that were less valuable.
Often appears as...
- trade down stocks
- trade down assets
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
verb
In sports, it refers to exchanging a high draft pick for one or more lower picks.
The team decided to trade down in the draft in order to get multiple players instead of just one star player.
Often appears as...
- trade down draft pick
- trade down in draft
Usage tips
Informal
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Economic Necessity
Used when financial constraints force buying less expensive items.
After the budget cut, the department traded down their equipment.
Pro Tip 2/3Voluntary Simplification
Can also imply choosing simplicity or minimalism voluntarily.
I decided to trade down my smartphone for a basic one to disconnect.
Pro Tip 3/3Temporary Measure
Often a short-term solution until financial situation improves.
We're trading down our apartment, but we plan to upgrade later.
Pro Tip 1/3Economic Necessity
Used when financial constraints force buying less expensive items.
After the budget cut, the department traded down their equipment.
Pro Tip 2/3Voluntary Simplification
Can also imply choosing simplicity or minimalism voluntarily.
I decided to trade down my smartphone for a basic one to disconnect.
Pro Tip 3/3Temporary Measure
Often a short-term solution until financial situation improves.
We're trading down our apartment, but we plan to upgrade later.
Pro Tip 1/3Economic Necessity
Used when financial constraints force buying less expensive items.
After the budget cut, the department traded down their equipment.
Pro Tip 2/3Voluntary Simplification
Can also imply choosing simplicity or minimalism voluntarily.
I decided to trade down my smartphone for a basic one to disconnect.
Pro Tip 3/3Temporary Measure
Often a short-term solution until financial situation improves.
We're trading down our apartment, but we plan to upgrade later.
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