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trade down

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trade down

to exchange something expensive for something that costs less The family traded down to a smaller house, cutting their mortgage payments in half.

See also: down, trade

trade down

Exchange for something of lower value or price, as in They bought a smaller boat, trading down for the sake of economy. Similarly, trade up means "make an exchange for something of higher value or price," as in They traded up to a larger house. [First half of 1900s]

See also: down, trade

trade down

v.

To trade something for something else of lower value or price: My SUV used a lot of gas, so I traded it down for a smaller, more economical car. My parents traded down their house for a condominium in Arizona.

See also: down, trade