ENGLISH
REFERENCE

a dime a dozen

idiom
B2
Meaning

So common as to be practically or almost worthless.


Origin

first recorded 18th c. disputed origin

19th-century American; after the dime was minted (1796), goods were commonly advertised at 'a dime a dozen', which came to mean cheap and plentiful.

Examples
SIMPLE

Cheap souvenirs are a dime a dozen here.

CONTEXTUAL

Online courses have become a dime a dozen, so you need to check which ones are actually good.

COMPLEX

In an age when opinions are a dime a dozen, she valued the few friends who spoke with genuine thought.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    baker's dozen

    Thirteen; a group of thirteen.

  2. 02

    baker's half dozen

    Seven, a group of seven.

  3. 03

    banker's dozen

    Eleven.

  4. 04

    cheaper by the dozen

    Handled more efficiently as a group, rather than individually.

  5. 05

    decimal dozen

    Ten, a group of ten.

  6. 06

    drop a dime

    To make a telephone call.

  7. 07

    nickel and dime

    Small time; operating on a small scale; involving small amounts of money; petty or cheap.

  8. 08

    not worth a dime

    Worthless or nearly so: lacking in value.

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