by the piece

Thân thiện

She buys the colorful beads by the piece for her craft project.

Definition

Adverb - Individually, one unit at a time: This phrase describes a method of selling, counting, or dealing with items as single, separate units rather than as a group or by a different measure (like weight or volume).

Usage

This adverb is used to specify that a transaction or action applies to individual items. - It is commonly used in commercial or retail contexts to describe pricing or sales methods. - It often follows verbs like sell, buy, pay, or count.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• Economic/Historical Context: The phrase is historically associated with the "piecework" system in manufacturing, where workers' wages are based on the number of items they produce.
  • In the 19th century, many garment factory workers were compensated by the piece.

Variants and Related Words

• Piecework (n): Work paid for according to the number of units turned out.
  • The factory shifted from hourly wages to piecework.
• Piece rate (n): The rate of pay for each unit produced.
  • The new piece rate made workers more productive.

Synonyms

• Individually
• Singly
• Per item
• Unit by unit

Antonyms

• In bulk
• Wholesale
• By the lot
• As a set

Related Phrases

• By the dozen/by the hundred: Sold or counted in groups of twelve or one hundred.
  • It's cheaper to buy nails by the hundred.
• Piece by piece: Gradually, one part at a time (often used for processes rather than transactions).
  • She assembled the model piece by piece.

Học thuật

Adverb

1. one piece at a time
   • she sold the plates by the piece

Từ đồng nghĩa

• one by one