English in a Minute: Sticker Shock

Welcome to English in a Minute! 

A sticker is a piece of paper that attaches to a surface. Stickers can be used to show the cost of a product. But what does “sticker shock” mean?  

A: So, Dan, have you gotten that new bicycle yet?  
D: Well, I went to the bike store, but I left with some serious sticker shock.
A: I just had sticker shock, too, in my favorite sticker store. Since when does a book of stickers cost $20? Crazy!

“Sticker shock” is used to describe the surprise and disappointment someone feels when they find out how much something costs. In these times of high inflation, many people probably experience sticker shock.