Meaning of sticker shock | Babel Free

Definitions

Disgust, shock, or fright upon learning the price of an item offered for sale.

US, idiomatic, informal, uncountable, usually

Examples

“Last⟳ week Jensen returned to his dealer's showroom to eye the new Continental, but he quickly became another victim of what Detroit calls "sticker shock⟳." The price on the car's window: $25,692. Says he: "Damn, that is expensive! It persuaded me to keep⟳ driving my '80 until it won't go any more."”

“Now the 1997 model⟳ year brings a slew of new and redesigned models that tackle sticker shock⟳ head-on.”

“This was supposed to be a summer of long-awaited celebrations in New York City, the return⟳ of a packed calendar full of birthday dinners and happy hours. But New Yorkers are confronting sticker shock⟳ everywhere they look⟳, whether they’re shopping for barbecue supplies at the grocery store, ordering a beer after work⟳ or grabbing a late-night slice of pizza.”

“But we have⟳ been educated, by a warped system, to believe⟳ that food is cheap as of right. That is why many of us are now suffering sticker shock⟳ when we eat⟳ out.”

CEFR level