Bargains can ruin you.
Bargains can ruin you.
Meaning in plain English
Bargains capable of ruin question an attractive price as a complete measure of value. The saying warns of costs beyond the apparent saving.
Example
Someone checks whether a low-cost item meets the actual need and what additional obligations it creates.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The possibility is not a prediction that every discount is harmful. A useful application examines suitability, conditions and total demands before deciding. This is a general interpretive warning, not financial advice about a particular purchase or evidence that a high price guarantees quality.
When to use it
Use it to assess value beyond the advertised saving.
Keep in mind
No purchase outcome or quality ranking by price is established.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Country attributed by the collection
France · source-attributed; earliest origin unverified
- Source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference
Supplied reference B; unit 773; PDF page 70; collection label: France
Reuse and collection notes ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · supplied collection
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Contributor-confirmed reuse permission
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
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