on approval

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The phrase "on approval" is used to describe a situation where someone can try or examine something before deciding whether to keep it or buy it. It often refers to goods or products that can be returned if they do not meet the buyer's expectations.

Explanation:

When you take something "on approval," you are allowed to inspect it and see if you like it. If you do like it, you can keep it; if not, you can return it without buying it.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "on approval" when talking about renting or purchasing items, especially when you want to test something first.
• It is often used in retail or borrowing situations.

Example:

• "They took the VCR on approval." (This means they borrowed the VCR to see if they liked it before deciding to buy it.)

Advanced Usage:

• "The bookstore offers new books on approval for schools to review before making a purchase." (Schools can examine the books first.)

Word Variants:

• The phrase itself does not have direct variants, but you might encounter related terms like "trial period" or "test run."

Different Meaning:

• The phrase "on approval" usually focuses on the ability to return something after trying it out. It doesn't have a different meaning in common usage.

Synonyms:

• On trial: This can mean the same as "on approval" where something is tested before the final decision.
• For evaluation: This means looking at something to decide if it is good enough.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly correlate with "on approval," but you might hear phrases like "try before you buy," which conveys a similar idea.

Academic

Adverb

1. for examination (with an option to buy)
   • they took the VCR on approval