full price

You use full price when you want to be clear about the cost. It’s often used when comparing prices. You might mention it if you paid more than expected. Or, if you got a great deal. It’s a common pairing with verbs like pay, cost, or charge. You can also say something is at full price. This emphasizes that no discount was applied. It’s a straightforward phrase. It doesn’t have many hidden meanings. Just remember to use it when the price is the standard one.

Imagine you bought a game. It was on sale for $30. The original cost was $60. You could say, 'I got this game for half price!' Or, 'It usually costs $60, but I paid only $30.' If you bought it without a sale, you'd say, 'I paid the full price of $60.' It’s super common in retail. You see it in ads and on receipts. It helps shoppers understand value. It clarifies if a deal was actually a deal. You might also hear it in service industries. Like, 'The repair cost $200, that was the full price.'

Use full price when you're talking about the standard cost. This is especially true if you're contrasting it with a sale price. For example, 'This jacket is $100, but it's 50% off this week.' If you bought it last week, you paid the full price. You can use it when discussing value. 'Is this gadget worth the full price?' It's also good for budgeting. 'I need to save up for the full price of the new phone.' Use it when you want to be precise about the cost. Don't guess; state the actual standard price.

Don't use full price when a discount is applied. If you got 20% off, you didn't pay full price. You paid a discounted price. Avoid using it if the price is already a special offer. For instance, if an item is advertised as 'Clearance Sale!', it's not at full price. Also, don't use it for things that don't have a standard price. Like custom-made items or services. Unless they have a clearly defined base rate. It’s not for haggling outcomes. If you negotiated a lower price, you didn't pay full price. That's just good bargaining!

Learners sometimes mix up full price with other terms. They might say complete price or total price incorrectly. Total price is just the final amount paid. It could include tax or shipping. Full price specifically means the item's base cost without discounts. Another common error is using it when a discount *was* applied.

✗ I bought the TV on sale for $500, but it was full price.

✓ I bought the TV on sale for $500, but it usually costs $800 at full price.

Or simply:

✗ I paid the full price of $500 for the TV.

✓ I paid $500 for the TV, which was on sale (the full price is $800).

It’s about clarity. Is the $500 the standard cost, or the sale cost? Usually, it’s the former.

• Sticker price: This is the price shown on the sticker or tag. It's very close to full price. Often used for cars.
• RRP (Recommended Retail Price): This is a suggested price from the manufacturer. It's similar to full price but is a recommendation.
• List price: The price on a list, often used in business-to-business sales. Similar to full price.
• Original price: The price before any markdowns. This is almost identical to full price.
• MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price): Same as RRP.

• At full price: 'I had to buy it at full price because the sale ended.'
• Pay full price: 'I never pay full price if I can help it.'
• Full price ticket: Often used for events like concerts or theatre. 'I bought a full price ticket.'
• Full price item: 'This is a full price item, no discounts apply.'

• Q: Is full price the same as total price?

A: Not exactly. Total price is the final amount you pay, including taxes and shipping. Full price is the item's base cost before any discounts are considered. So, the total price might be higher than the full price if taxes are added.

• Q: Can I use full price for services?

A: Yes, you can. If a service has a standard hourly rate or a set fee, that's its full price. You'd use it to mention if you paid that standard rate or got a special deal. For example, 'The consultation was $150, the full price for an hour.'

• Q: Is full price a formal term?

A: It's pretty neutral. You can use it in most situations, from casual chats to more professional settings. It’s not overly formal or slangy. It's just a clear way to state the standard cost. Think of it as a reliable workhorse phrase.