A Dime a Dozen
Meaning: Very common and easy to find, so not special or valuable.
The saying "a dime a dozen" refers to something very common. It originated in the 1800s when goods like eggs were advertised as costing a dime for a dozen, highlighting their abundance.
How to use it
Use it to say something is so common that it has little value: ideas, apps, coffee shops, excuses. It’s informal and a little negative, so be careful using it about people. It usually comes after “are” or “is”: “Good ideas are a dime a dozen.”
Examples
- Coffee shops are a dime a dozen in this neighborhood.
- Startup ideas are a dime a dozen. What matters is doing the work.
- Cheap phone chargers are a dime a dozen, but good ones are hard to find.
A common mistake
Keep the fixed words and the article: a dime a dozen, not “a dime for a dozen” or “one dime one dozen.” Don’t say it directly about a person’s work or skills unless you mean to sound harsh.
Where it comes from
It’s an American phrase from a time when a dime (ten cents) could buy a dozen of something cheap, such as eggs or apples. The figurative meaning, “very common,” became popular in the 20th century.
Say it out loud
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Source: Reader’s Digest