keep the change — not return coins
collocationB1IELTS 5+informalcommon
used to tell someone, usually when paying for something, that they do not need to give you any money back as change; you are giving them the extra as a tip or to make things easier.
Say it like a native
Textbook You may retain the remaining monetary balance.
Native Keep the change.
'Keep the change' is the fixed phrase when tipping; the formal version is bizarre in a café.
Pattern: keep the change
In use
- I handed the taxi driver a ten-pound note for an eight-pound ride and said, "Keep the change."daily life
- When I travel abroad, I often tell shopkeepers to keep the change if the amount is small, because it makes things easier and it's a nice gesture.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ Hold the change.
✓ Keep the change.
The set phrase is 'keep the change' — 'hold' doesn't work here.
Common collocations
keep the change— just, no, please, thanks
Don't confuse it
Not used when you want your change back. Only use when you want the other person to keep the extra money.