How to say it · Money and everyday habits

That's too expensive

You see the price and it's too much. You want to say so to a shop assistant or a friend, politely or bluntly, without sounding rude or poor.

6 ways to say it

How bluntPoliteBlunt

It's a bit out of my budgetbest default That's more than I wanted to spendsoftest It's a bit priceycasual comment That's a bit steepeyebrows up It's not worth itbad value That's a rip-offblunt complaint

Way 1 · best default

It's a bit out of my budget

Polite and honest. The problem is your budget, not the price, so nobody is offended.

How bluntPolite

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

It's lovely, but it's a bit out of my budget.

That hotel's a bit out of my budget. Anything cheaper nearby?

In a conversation

A: This one's our best model. It's 900 pounds.
B: It's a bit out of my budget. Do you have anything around 500?

Common mistake

Not: It's ~~so expensive for me.~~

Say: It's a bit out of my budget.

"Expensive for me" sounds like a translation. Talking about your budget is the natural, polite version.

Practice saying this

Next: That's more than I wanted to spend

Way 2 · softest

That's more than I wanted to spend

Very polite. Good with sellers, when you might still buy something cheaper.

How bluntVery polite

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

Hmm, that's more than I wanted to spend.

It's beautiful, but that's more than I wanted to spend on a gift.

Practice saying this

Next: It's a bit pricey

Way 3 · casual comment

It's a bit pricey

A relaxed way to say something costs a lot. Common when chatting about shops and restaurants.

How bluntMiddle

ToneCasual

Use itWith friends

Examples

That café's nice, but it's a bit pricey.

I love the jacket. It's a bit pricey, though.

Common mistake

Not: It's a bit ~~costy.~~

Say: It's a bit pricey.

"Costy" isn't a word. The adjectives are "pricey" (casual) and "expensive" or "costly".

Practice saying this

Next: That's a bit steep

Way 4 · eyebrows up

That's a bit steep

The price feels higher than it should be. Slight surprise, still polite.

How bluntBlunt

ToneCasual

Use itAnywhere

Examples

Twelve pounds for a sandwich? That's a bit steep.

Forty euros just to park? That's a bit steep.

In a conversation

A: The repair will be 350 pounds.
B: That's a bit steep. Could you check if there's a cheaper part?

Practice saying this

Next: It's not worth it

Way 5 · bad value

It's not worth it

You could pay, but you think the thing isn't good enough for that money.

How bluntBlunt

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

The VIP tickets are double the price. It's not worth it.

I tried the premium plan. Honestly, it's not worth it.

Practice saying this

Next: That's a rip-off

Way 6 · blunt complaint

That's a rip-off

Strong: the price is unfair, almost cheating. Say it to friends, not to the seller.

How bluntVery blunt

ToneCasual

Use itWith friends

Examples

Eight pounds for a coffee at the airport? That's a rip-off.

They charged me for the bag as well. That's a rip-off.

In a conversation

A: The hotel wants 20 euros a day for Wi-Fi.
B: That's a rip-off. Let's use the café across the road.

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which would you say?

Pick the right one

Which would you say?

Read the moment, then choose the way that fits it best.

Now say it out loud

Pick one and practise it in a real conversation. Save the ones you want to remember.

It's a bit out of my budget That's more than I wanted to spend It's a bit pricey That's a bit steep

Which would you say?

Now say it out loud

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