price gouging

American  

[prahys gou-jing] / ˈpraɪs ˌgaʊ dʒɪŋ /

noun

1. an act or instance of charging customers too high a price for goods or services, especially when demand is high and supplies are limited.

   The law prohibits price gouging during weather emergencies such as snowstorms.

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Other Word Forms

• price gouge verb (used with or without object)
• price gouger noun
• price-gouge verb (used with or without object)

Etymology

Origin of price gouging

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

However RTÉ is reporting that some forecourt retailers are dropping their pump prices before they get fresh deliveries to avoid criticism and allegations of price gouging.

From BBC

He is also expected to say he will "not tolerate companies trying to exploit this crisis" following accusations of price gouging.

From BBC

And for good measure, there's already been a very public tiff with the industry, after ministers started talking about price gouging and profiteering.

From BBC

"It's price gouging - simple as that," Knight said.

From BBC

"We will not tolerate unfair practices, price gouging."

From BBC