for a pittance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a pittance" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to something that can be bought, sold, or acquired for very little money. For example, "I was able to buy this antique vase for a pittance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And for a pittance.

The Washington Post

BusinessWeek was bought by Bloomberg for a pittance.

The Economist

Syrians do off-the-books jobs for a pittance.

The New York Times

You're giving away major resources for a pittance.

The Guardian

Coaxing Anderson to play for a pittance was a coup.

The New York Times - Sports

Homebuilt stalls, chock full of mandarins, oranges and fresh eggs selling for a pittance.

The Guardian

Watching her things go for a pittance, Millie says, is embarrassing.

The New York Times

Then, markets were crashing and companies could have scooped up shares for a pittance.

The New York Times

It left most of the attendance indifferent and sold for a pittance, which was no surprise.

The New York Times - Arts

Privatization of state economic property through vouchers was manipulated; the poor sold them for a pittance.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ultimately a judge consolidated them, and the Silver Lake buyout group settled the case for a pittance—$50 million.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for a pittance" when you want to emphasize how surprisingly little something cost or how little someone was paid. It's more impactful than simply saying 'cheaply'.

Common error

Avoid using "for a pittance" in formal business contexts where a neutral tone is required. While grammatically correct, it can sound dismissive or condescending, especially when discussing salaries or asset valuations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a pittance" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner or price at which something was obtained or done. Ludwig shows its versatility in describing transactions and labor compensation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for a pittance" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something was acquired or done at a very low cost. As Ludwig confirms, it’s frequently used in news and media contexts to highlight situations where things are undervalued or labor is underpaid. While versatile, it's important to note that using "for a pittance" might be inappropriate in strictly formal environments. Semantically related phrases such as "for next to nothing" or "for a song" can serve as alternatives depending on the specific context. The key takeaway is to use "for a pittance" when emphasizing the surprisingly low cost while being mindful of the potential informal connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for next to nothing

Emphasizes the minimal cost involved, highlighting the bargain aspect.

at a bargain price

Directly indicates that something was purchased at a significantly reduced cost.

for a song

A more idiomatic way of saying something was bought very cheaply.

at a giveaway price

Suggests the item was sold at an extremely low price, almost as if it were free.

for chicken feed

Implies that the amount paid was insignificant, comparable to the value of chicken feed.

on the cheap

Focuses on the action of obtaining something inexpensively.

at a discount

Highlights the reduced price compared to the original value.

for peanuts

Similar to 'for a song', suggesting a very small amount of money was exchanged.

at rock bottom prices

Stresses that prices are as low as they can possibly be.

dirt cheap

A more informal way of saying very inexpensive or low-priced.

FAQs

How can I use "for a pittance" in a sentence?

You can use "for a pittance" to describe something acquired at a very low cost, such as "He bought the old car "for a pittance"." It emphasizes the minimal expense involved.

What are some alternatives to "for a pittance"?

Alternatives include "for next to nothing", "at a bargain price", or "for a song". These phrases all suggest that something was obtained at a very low cost.

Is it appropriate to use "for a pittance" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "for a pittance" can sound informal or even slightly negative. Consider using a more neutral phrase like "at a significantly reduced price" in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "for a pittance" and "cheaply"?

"Cheaply" simply means at a low cost. "For a pittance" implies the cost was surprisingly or remarkably low, often suggesting the item was undervalued or easily acquired. The phrase "for a pittance" adds more emphasis.