Today, we’re diving into the world of idioms that include the word “penny.” Idioms are phrases that have a meaning different from the words themselves. They make language more colorful and are fun to use. Let’s explore some common “penny” idioms and find out what they really mean!
Penny Idioms
Here are 20 penny idioms in English with meaning and example sentence for each.
- A penny for your thoughts
- Meaning: Asking someone what they are thinking
- Example: You seem quiet, a penny for your thoughts?
- Penny wise, pound foolish
- Meaning: Saving small amounts but wasting larger ones
- Example: Don’t be penny wise, pound foolish.
- In for a penny, in for a pound
- Meaning: Fully committing to an action
- Example: Well, in for a penny, in for a pound.
- Pretty penny
- Meaning: A large amount of money
- Example: That car costs a pretty penny.
- Penny pincher
- Meaning: A person who tries to save every penny
- Example: He’s a real penny pincher.
- Spend a penny
- Meaning: To use the restroom
- Example: I need to spend a penny.
- Turn up like a bad penny
- Meaning: To appear repeatedly and unwantedly
- Example: He keeps turning up like a bad penny.
- Not have a penny to one’s name
- Meaning: To be very poor
- Example: She doesn’t have a penny to her name.
- Penny dropped
- Meaning: To finally understand something
- Example: Finally, the penny dropped!
- Penny ante
- Meaning: Involving a small amount of money
- Example: It’s just a penny ante poker game.
- Cost a pretty penny
- Meaning: To be very expensive
- Example: This watch must have cost a pretty penny.
- Penny-saving
- Meaning: Economical or thrifty
- Example: We need some penny-saving tips.
- Take care of the pennies
- Meaning: Save small amounts to accumulate wealth
- Example: Take care of the pennies, and the pounds will care for themselves.
- Penny pinching
- Meaning: Extremely frugal
- Example: We’re penny pinching to save for a trip.
- The penny has dropped
- Meaning: Suddenly realizing or understanding something
- Example: Oh, the penny has dropped now!
- Two-penny hangover
- Meaning: A very mild hangover
- Example: I just have a two-penny hangover.
- Not one red penny
- Meaning: Not any amount of money at all
- Example: I won’t pay one red penny for that!
- Pennies from heaven
- Meaning: Unexpected good fortune
- Example: This job offer is like pennies from heaven.
- Penny wise
- Meaning: Careful about small amounts of money
- Example: She’s always been penny wise.
- Throw a penny
- Meaning: To make a small financial contribution
- Example: Everyone, please throw a penny into the pot.
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