keep up with the Joneses

keep up with the Joneses
keep up with the Joneses
To keep on an equal social footing with one's neighbours, eg by having possessions of the same quality in the same quantity
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Main Entry: ↑keep

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keep up with the Joneses informal, showing disapproval phrase
to try to be as rich, successful etc as your neighbours
Thesaurus: to compete, or to try to winsynonym
Main entry: Joneses

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Jones|es «JOHN zihz», noun (plural).
keep up with the Joneses,
the more prosperous or fashionable people of one's neighborhood or social circle; those who represent a desirable status in society, collectively: »

to keep up with the Joneses. [At] this place…there'o living up to the Joneses; there's just a natural desire to help, without any need to make impressions (Calvin Trillin).

╂[plural form of Jones, an ordinary or typical name, as of a neighbor]

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I
try to emulate or not be outdone by one's neighbors
II
try to maintain the same social and material standards as one's friends or neighbors

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keep up with the Joneses
informal + often disapproving : to show that you are as good as other people by getting what they have and doing what they do

people trying to keep up with the Joneses by buying expensive cars and clothes that they can't afford

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Main Entry: ↑Joneses
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keep up with the Joneses — see

JONESES

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Main Entry: ↑keep

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ˌkeep up with the ˈJoneses idiom
(informal, often disapproving) to try to have all the possessions and social achievements that your friends and neighbours have
Main entry: ↑Jonesesidiom

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • keep up with the Joneses — {v. phr.} To follow the latest fashion; try to be equal with your neighbors. * /Mrs. Smith kept buying every new thing that was advertised, finally Mr. Smith told her to stop trying to keep up with the Joneses and to start thinking for herself./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • keep up with the Joneses — {v. phr.} To follow the latest fashion; try to be equal with your neighbors. * /Mrs. Smith kept buying every new thing that was advertised, finally Mr. Smith told her to stop trying to keep up with the Joneses and to start thinking for herself./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • keep up with the joneses — People who try to keep up with the Joneses are competitive about material possessions and always try to have the latest and best things …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • keep up with the Joneses — ► keep up with the Joneses strive not to be outdone by one s neighbours or peers. Main Entry: ↑keep …   English terms dictionary

  • keep up with the Joneses — buy what the neighbors buy, keep pace    I can t afford to keep up with the Joneses. I m not rich! …   English idioms

  • keep up with the Joneses — verb To act or make purchases for status or image rather than out of need, especially for the purpose of competing with friends or neighbors. Do you really need a fancy new car or are you just trying to keep up with the Joneses? …   Wiktionary

  • keep\ up\ with\ the\ Joneses — v. phr. To follow the latest fashion; try to be equal with your neighbors. Mrs. Smith kept buying every new thing that was advertised, finally Mr. Smith told her to stop trying to keep up with the Joneses and to start thinking for herself …   Словарь американских идиом

  • keep up with the Joneses —    People who try to keep up with the Joneses are competitive about material possessions and always try to have the latest and best things.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • keep up with the Joneses — try to be the same as your neighbors He always worries about keeping up with the Joneses and is always frustrated …   Idioms and examples

  • keep up with the Joneses — to have all the same things as other people to avoid looking poor or old fashioned. In this neighborhood, keeping up with the Joneses has become an art form …   New idioms dictionary

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