This idiom means to be interested buying something, and is able to afford it.


The car looks great in the brochure, but I am not really in the market for a convertible.

We've set up house with some of my grandmother's furniture, but if we'd been in the market, we would have bought some of that modern Swedish stuff.


Source: Longman Idioms Dictionary

Tim

Hey Tim, how about showing some use of "ON THE MARKET"? and perhaps compare and contrast the two?

The idiom on the market means available for people to buy. In the old days you could also say in the market to refer to the same thing. But in contemporary English, in the market simply means a person is interested in buying something.

The following examples are from Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Online.


The manufacturers say the device will be on the market by May.

Handguns are freely available on the open market (=for anyone to buy).

They knew it wasn't a good time to sell their house, but they still put it on the market (=offered it for sale).

a revolutionary new drug that has just come onto the market

! Do not say 'in the market'. Say on the market.


Tim

Thank Tim, good job!

yeah, it does sound weird saying something like "I am on the market for some hand guns", sounds like I am putting myself up for sell for some hand guns? hehe

So, to summarize:

Talking about the general availability of something: use "on the market".

Talking about someone's interest to acquire something: use "in the market"

right? :)

Very good summary, Enigma.

Tim