keep up with the Joneses

Various theories; see Wikipedia article.

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

keep up with the Joneses (third-person singular simple present keeps up with the Joneses, present participle keeping up with the Joneses, simple past and past participle kept up with the Joneses)

1. (idiomatic) To act or make purchases for status or image rather than out of need, especially for the purpose of competing with friends, neighbors, or the modern well-to-do family.

   Do you really need a fancy new car or are you just trying to keep up with the Joneses?

• conspicuous consumption
• peer pressure