compromise on quality

Meaning

This phrase means to accept a lower standard or lesser value of something in order to save money, time, or effort. It is used in both personal and professional contexts when discussing standards, products, or services. The tone is neutral but often carries a warning or negative connotation, as lowering quality is generally undesirable.

Examples

• We wanted to finish the renovation quickly, but we refused to compromise on quality.

  We wanted to finish the renovation quickly, but we refused to compromise on quality.

• If you buy cheap tools, you often compromise on quality and have to replace them soon.

  If you buy cheap tools, you often compromise on quality and have to replace them soon.

• The restaurant chain expanded rapidly without compromising on quality.

  The restaurant chain expanded rapidly without compromising on quality.

• I would rather pay a bit more than compromise on quality when it comes to safety gear.

  I would rather pay a bit more than compromise on quality when it comes to safety gear.

• The manufacturer decided to use cheaper materials, which forced them to compromise on quality.

  The manufacturer decided to use cheaper materials, which forced them to compromise on quality.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We shouldn't compromise the quality.

  ✓ We shouldn't compromise on quality.

  While 'compromise quality' is grammatically possible (meaning to damage or endanger quality), in daily English we use 'compromise on quality' to mean accepting a lower standard for practical reasons.

• ✗ The company refused to compromise in quality.

  ✓ The company refused to compromise on quality.

  The correct preposition to use after 'compromise' when referring to the specific aspect being lowered is 'on'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• When choosing a car seat for your baby, you should never ___.

  💡 Accept a lower standard of safety.

  Show answer

  compromise on quality

• We need to reduce our budget, but we must not ___.

  💡 Lower the standard of our products or services.

  Show answer

  compromise on quality