ENGLISH
REFERENCE

returns to scale

idiom
Meaning

a function describing how returns scale when production increases in the long run


Examples
SIMPLE

The factory sees better returns to scale as it grows.

CONTEXTUAL

When the company doubled its equipment, it achieved higher returns to scale by reducing the cost per unit.

COMPLEX

Economists analyze whether a firm experiences increasing or decreasing returns to scale by observing how output changes relative to the proportional expansion of all inputs.

Anchors to
Related idioms6entries
  1. 01

    diminishing returns

    A condition in which additional inputs into an organization, project or process produce progressively fewer or lower-quality additional outputs, and may, in extreme cases, cause the total quantity or quality of outputs to decrease.

  2. 02

    many happy returns

    A greeting, usually for birthdays, in reference to the passing year; Happy birthday!

  3. 03

    off the scale

    Far in excess of what is normal or measurable.

  4. 04

    thumb on the scale

    An act of bias or a tactic for cheating which creates a situation that unfairly benefits one party involved in an interaction.

  5. 05

    tip the scale

    To change the fortunes, either positively or negatively.

  6. 06

    turn the scale

    To decide or determine a balanced situation.

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