A Dime a Dozen

Meaning of Idiom ‘A Dime a Dozen’

1. Something that is a dime a dozen is very common and easily found.

2. Plentiful and of little to no value.

3. Common and therefore cheap. ^{1 2 3}

This expression can refer to a thing or a person. Although cost (a dime) is mentioned, the expression does not always refer to the subject being cheap or inexpensive but simply plentiful. Cheapness may also be implied, but never when a person is the subject.

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Sentence Examples

“I asked my boss for a raise today. Not only did he refuse, he told me workers like myself are a dime a dozen!”

“Those toy prizes at carnivals are are a dime a dozen.”

“Romantic comedies are a dime a dozen and they’re all the same!”

“He said, “You can print money, manufacture diamonds, and people are a dime a dozen, but they’ll always need land.” — Superman Returns (2006)

“You all know why you’re here. Good drivers are a dime a dozen.” — Fast & Furious (2009)

“I mean, numerology, kabala, Pythagorean cults…there are systems that find meaning in numbers, and they are a dime a dozen. Why?” — Knowing (2009)

“Knights in shining armour certainly aren’t her type. And those guys are a dime a dozen. But you, you’re one of a kind.” — The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

Origin of A Dime a Dozen

Used since the first half of the 1900’s.

A dime refers to a ten-cent piece in the U.S., declared so by the Continental Congress in 1786. A dozen is twelve of any item. ⁴The dime has been used in many American expressions to mean ‘cheap’ or ‘small.’ ⁵

This idiom alludes to something being so common that twelve can be bought for only ten cents. In other words, it can be bought for less than one cent each. However, the purpose of the phrase is not necessarily to convey cheapness as much as it is to emphasize that the item is plentiful and valueless.

See also:

Stop on a Dime

Drop a Dime (on someone)

More Idioms Starting with A

• Add Fuel to the Fire
• All Tuckered Out
• Are You Writing a Book?
• Army Brat
• And How

More Dime Idioms

• Stop On A Dime
• Drop A Dime (on someone)

More Dozen Idioms

• Baker’s Dozen
• Talk Nineteen to the Dozen
• Daily Dozen

More Money Related Idioms

• What’s the Damage?
• Moolah
• Flat Broke
• Last of the Big Spenders
• Ten-Dollar Word
• Don’t Take Any Wooden Nickels

References

1. Ayto, John. Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms. Oxford: Oxford U, 2010.
2. Heacock, Paul. Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2010.
3. Goodbrand, Allan. Know Your Onions: a Light-Hearted Look at Popular Idioms and Sayings. Book Guild Publishing, 2015.
4. Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.
5. Ayto, John. Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms. Oxford: Oxford U, 2010.