# keep up with the Joneses

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/keep-up-with-the-joneses
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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.

## Examples

- 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.

## Origin

The origin of the phrase is subject to various theories, for which the source cites the Wikipedia article on the subject.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.