Keep up with the joneses Meaning in English

expression

US

KEEP-uhp-with-thuh-JOHN-ziz

UK

KEEP-up-with-thuh-JOHN-ziz

Definition

To try to have the same things, lifestyle, or status as people around you, especially your neighbors, even if it's difficult or unnecessary.

Usage & Nuances

This is an informal, idiomatic expression mainly used to criticize excessive spending or competition for appearance's sake. It often implies pressure to buy new things or match others even if it's not needed. Common in discussions about materialism.

• Spanish: vivir al nivel de los demás - competir con los vecinos
• Portuguese (BR): acompanhar o padrão dos outros - competir com os vizinhos
• Portuguese (PT): acompanhar o padrão dos outros - competir com os vizinhos
• Chinese (Simplified): 与邻居攀比
• Chinese (Traditional): 與鄰居攀比
• Hindi: दूसरों की नकल करना (खासतौर पर पड़ोसियों की)
• Arabic: مجاراة الآخرين في نمط الحياة
• Bengali: প্রতিযোগিতায় থাকা - অপরের মতো হতে চাওয়া (দামি জিনিস কেনা, সামাজিক মর্যাদা)
• Russian: жить не хуже других - стремиться не отставать от окружающих
• Japanese: 隣人に負けまいとする - 周囲と張り合う
• Vietnamese: đuổi kịp người khác (về vật chất/lối sống) - chạy theo người khác
• Korean: 남들과 비교하며 살아가다 - 남들을 따라가다
• Turkish: komşuyla yarışmak - başkalarına özenmek
• Urdu: دوسروں کی طرح دکھاوے کے لیے خرچ کرنا - دوسروں کی نقل کرنا (مالی لحاظ سے)
• Indonesian: meniru gaya hidup orang lain - bersaing secara materi dengan tetangga

Example Sentences

Some people buy new cars just to keep up with the joneses.

basic

It's not healthy to always keep up with the joneses.

basic

We don't need to keep up with the joneses to be happy.

basic

After seeing their neighbors' new kitchen, they felt pressured to keep up with the joneses.

natural

Social media can make you want to keep up with the joneses even more.

natural

I used to keep up with the joneses, but now I just focus on what I need.

natural