What does "keep the change" mean? In what circumstances could I use it?
Native speaker’s answer
Rebecca
Generally, when people pay for something with cash (bills and coins), they will not have the exact amount (which is called "exact change") and will thus pay with a larger amount than the set price. Thus, you will usually receive something called "change" back. When you tell someone "keep the change," it means that you don't want the leftover amount. People who use this expression might say it for a number of reasons: they dislike carrying around coins, which are bulky and heavy; they don't think the amount of change is worth taking as it may be worth too little; or they mean for the cashier/employee helping them to keep it as a small tip (this depends on the type of store and service). Ex: A: Your change is ten cents, sir. B: It's alright, keep the change. Ex: Keep the change. Thanks for your help today.
