keep up with the Joneses
To act or make purchases for status or image rather than out of need, especially for the purpose of competing with friends, neighbors, or society.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“They buy expensive cars just to keep up with the Joneses.”
“She feels constant pressure to renovate her house every year just to keep up with the Joneses in her neighborhood.”
“Driven by a desperate need to keep up with the Joneses, he spent his entire savings on luxury goods that he neither needed nor truly enjoyed.”
The origin of the phrase is subject to various theories, for which the source cites the Wikipedia article on the subject.
- 01
cobbler, keep to your last
One should not criticise matters outside one's field of expertise; one should mind one's business.
- 02
earn one's keep
To perform satisfactory physical labor or to provide other worthy services in return for remuneration, lodging, or other benefits; to support oneself financially.
- 03
gift that keeps on giving
Something with continuous (typically positive) consequences.
- 04
keep a civil tongue in one's head
To maintain a polite manner of speaking.
- 05
keep a close watch
to pay careful attention to a situation or a thing, so that you can deal with any changes or problems.
- 06
keep a cool head
To keep one's cool; to stay calm.
- 07
keep a lid on
To keep something secret.
- 08
keep a low profile
To be discreet and quiet.
Last updated August 10, 2026