buy a lemon
/baɪ ə ˈlemən/
Meaning
To 'buy a lemon' means to purchase something, especially a used car or motorcycle, that turns out to be defective, unreliable, or constantly in need of repairs. It carries a strong tone of frustration and regret about making a poor investment.
Examples
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The used car looked great on the lot, but I quickly realized I had bought a lemon when the engine broke down the next day.
The used car looked great on the lot, but I quickly realized I had bought a lemon when the engine broke down the next day.
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Make sure you have a mechanic inspect the vehicle so you don't accidentally buy a lemon.
Make sure you have a mechanic inspect the vehicle so you don't accidentally buy a lemon.
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He spent thousands on that laptop, but it keeps crashing—he definitely bought a lemon.
He spent thousands on that laptop, but it keeps crashing—he definitely bought a lemon.
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I thought I got a bargain on this refrigerator, but it's a total lemon.
I thought I got a bargain on this refrigerator, but it's a total lemon.
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After buying a lemon last year, she decided she would only buy brand-new cars with full warranties.
After buying a lemon last year, she decided she would only buy brand-new cars with full warranties.
Common Mistakes
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✗ I bought a lemon car yesterday.
✓ I bought a lemon yesterday.
'Lemon' already implies a defective car (or occasionally another product). Saying 'lemon car' is redundant and sounds unnatural to native speakers.
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✗ The phone is a lemon because it is yellow.
✓ The phone is a lemon because the screen stopped working after two hours.
'Lemon' in this context has nothing to do with the color yellow or the fruit. It strictly refers to a defective product.
Related Expressions
Practice
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I can't believe the transmission failed already; I really ___.
💡 Past tense. It means buying a defective vehicle.
Show answer
bought a lemon
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To avoid ___ , always check the vehicle history report before purchasing.
💡 Use the gerund form of the idiom.
Show answer
buying a lemon