Word: Bucket Shop
Part of Speech: Noun
Basic Definition: A "bucket shop" originally referred to a cheap bar or saloon that sold liquor in large quantities, often by the bucket. However, today it more commonly means a type of brokerage firm that operates unethically or aggressively, often allowing clients to gamble on stock prices without actually buying the stocks.
Usage Instructions: - When talking about a bar or saloon, you might rarely hear the term "bucket shop" used today. - More commonly, if you use "bucket shop," people will think you are talking about an unethical brokerage.
Example in a Sentence: 1. "In the past, the city had a bucket shop where patrons could buy drinks by the bucket." 2. "He lost a lot of money trading stocks at a bucket shop that promised quick profits."
Advanced Usage: - In finance, referring to a brokerage as a "bucket shop" suggests that it engages in practices that are not transparent or fair, such as encouraging high-risk trading without proper advice.
Word Variants: - Bucket (noun): A container used to hold liquids or other substances. - Shop (noun): A place where goods are sold or services are provided.
Different Meanings: 1. Historical Meaning: A place to buy alcoholic beverages in bulk. 2. Modern Meaning: An unethical brokerage that allows risky trading practices.
Synonyms: - For the bar meaning: dive bar, saloon. - For the brokerage meaning: unscrupulous brokerage, dubious trading firm.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: - There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "bucket shop," but you might encounter phrases like: - "Throwing good money after bad," which means to continue investing in a losing situation, similar to what could happen at a bucket shop.
Summary: "Bucket shop" can refer to a low-quality bar or an unethical brokerage.