pay with coins

Meaning

This phrase describes the action of using metal money (coins) instead of paper bills, credit cards, or digital payment methods to buy something. It is often used for small transactions like vending machines or parking meters.

Examples

• The vending machine only allows you to pay with coins.

  The vending machine only allows you to pay with coins.

• I had to pay with coins because the card reader was broken.

  I had to pay with coins because the card reader was broken.

• Is it okay if I pay with coins for this newspaper?

  Is it okay if I pay with coins for this newspaper?

• He likes to pay with coins to get rid of his loose change.

  He likes to pay with coins to get rid of his loose change.

• You can pay with coins at the parking meter down the street.

  You can pay with coins at the parking meter down the street.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I paid by coins.

  ✓ I paid with coins.

  While we say 'pay by card', we use the preposition 'with' for physical currency items like 'with coins' or 'with cash'.

• ✗ Can I pay with some metals?

  ✓ Can I pay with coins?

  'Metals' refers to the material, but the actual currency objects are always called 'coins'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The bus ticket costs two dollars, and you must ___.

  💡 Use metal money to complete the purchase.

  Show answer

  pay with coins

• I have too much change in my pocket, so I will ___.

  💡 Get rid of small metal money.

  Show answer

  pay with coins