To do or buy things for status, show, or image rather than out of need, especially for the purpose of competing with friends or neighbors.

Etymology:

  • Various theories; see Wikipedia article.
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Do you really need a fancy new car or are you just trying to keep up with the Joneses?.

Submitted on September 01, 2009

Additional definitions for 'keep up with the joneses':

Keep Up With the JonesesTo live up to like ones neighbors, to maintain a living standard as one’s influential neighbors have
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    "keep up with the joneses." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 12 Oct. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/keep-up-with-the-joneses_4879>.

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