scotched, prices are keener, Isaac Koedijck (1618, Amsterdam – 1668, Amsterdam). Barber-Surgeon tending a Peasant's Foot (1649-1650) [oil on panel with dimensions 91 cm height x 72 cm width].

Isaac Koedijck (1618, Amsterdam – 1668, Amsterdam).

Barber-Surgeon tending a Peasant's Foot (1649-1650) [oil on panel with dimensions 91 cm height x  72 cm width]. 

Collection Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Collection (US art collection; part of Museum of Fine Arts, Boston).

The government wants to foster a legal industry, but prices are keener in the illegal one

ECONOMIST.COM

The sky-high costs of Thailand’s first medical-marijuana farm

Chinese acquisitions that involve the transfer of sensitive technologies are being scotched

ECONOMIST.COM

China Inc’s global rise is shrouded in suspicion

uk if prices are keen, they are lower and offer more value than others:

Superstores may offer keen prices that small-town shops cannot match.

scotch¹

/skɒtʃ/

verb

past tense: scotched; past participle: scotched

1. 1.

   decisively put an end to.

   
   

   "a spokesman has scotched the rumours"

   
   

   • 
     
2. 2.

   wedge (someone or something) somewhere.

   
   

   "he soon scotched himself against a wall"