# ten a penny

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/ten-a-penny
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

So common as to be practically or almost worthless.

## Examples

- These old coins are ten a penny at the market.
- In this city, coffee shops are ten a penny — there's one on every corner.
- Once rare and sought-after, these mass-produced prints are now ten a penny, gathering dust in thrift shops across the country.

## Origin

With literal origins; now usually in the figuratively extended sense.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.