trade down

To sell something you own and buy a cheaper thing of the same kind.

• We need to trade down.
• They traded down to a smaller house to save money.
• Would you trade down to a cheaper car?

How to use it: trade down to something (We traded down to a smaller car.)

Similar words: downsize

Opposites: trade up

Common phrases: trade down again, trade down financially

To be bought and sold at a lower price on the stock market.

• The shares traded down today.
• Bank stocks were trading down after the announcement.
• The company traded down by five percent during the morning.

How to use it: trade down by an amount (The shares traded down by two percent.)

Similar words: fall, decline

Opposites: rise

Common phrases: trade down sharply, trade down slightly

To exchange an earlier chance to choose a new sports player for a later chance, usually gaining something extra.

• The team decided to trade down.
• They traded down and gained an extra draft pick.
• Will the club trade down in the first round?

How to use it: trade down from A to B (The team traded down from the third pick to the seventh.)

Opposites: trade up

Common phrases: trade down again, trade down strategically