Lesson 3: Idioms from Money
Lesson 3 Explanation
Idioms from money
- a dime a dozen
A dime is a coin that's worth ten cents. This word is used in the United States.
A dozen is a word that means 12 items. If you can buy 12 items for 10 cents, then the item isn't very valuable. So a dime a dozen means that something is so common that it's worthless. This idiom does not actually refer to the real cost of the item. Instead, it means the item is so common that it has little to no value.
- the most bang for your buck
The word buck is a slang word for dollar, and bang is a word used to describe an explosion. If you buy a bomb that gives you the most bang (the biggest explosion) for your buck (the lowest price), then you've gotten the most value for your money. - my two cents
This idiom might come from the expression "a penny for your thoughts." A penny is one cent, and this expression is used to ask for someone's opinion. So if you give your two cents, it means you give your opinion.
- in mint condition
The mint is the place where money is made (printed or manufactured). A coin or bill that comes directly from the mint is perfect, because it is new! So if any item is in mint condition, it means it's perfect, without flaws. - I'd put money on it This idiom comes from the idea of a bet or wager - when you promise to pay (or receive) some money depending on a certain outcome. For example, the U.S. and England soccer teams are going to play, and you bet your friend $100 that England will win. If England wins, then your friend pays you $100. If England loses, you pay your friend $100.
Obviously, you only want to make a bet when you're certain! So the expression “I'd put money on it” means I'm completely certain. - give her a run for her money
This idiom comes from horse racing - the horses run and people bet money on the result.
This phrase is often used in the context of competitions and sports. You can use it in the past, present, or future.
Past:
• Harriet won the competition, but Kayla gave her a run for her money.
In this case the idiom means that Kayla competed very well and almost won.
Present:
• England is ahead 2-1, but the U.S. is certainly giving them a run for their money.
In this case, it means that the game is very close because the two teams are almost equal in ability.
Future:
• David is sure to give the current champion a run for his money in tomorrow's match. In this case, it means that David has a good chance of winning, because he's on the same level as the current champion. - it costs a pretty penny
There are a number of other idioms and expressions used to say that something is expensive. You can say, "it costs an arm and a leg" or "I paid top dollar" - meaning I paid a lot of money. One of the funniest expressions is "I paid through the nose" - that means you paid a lot of money and it was painful. For example, "I paid through the nose to get my car repaired overnight. $2000 just to fix a broken window – can you believe it?!" - can't make heads or tails of it Every coin has two sides - heads (the front, which often has the image of a person) and tails. If a coin is so old that the details have worn off, then it's impossible to know which side is heads and which side is tails. So the expression "I can't make heads or tails of it" means "I can't understand it at all." - at any cost
If you really, really want to buy something, you will buy it "at any cost" - it doesn't matter how high the price is. This idiom is often used with a negative connotation - for someone who is desperate or extremely hungry for money, victory, or power - someone who would even do illegal or unethical actions if necessary to accomplish their goal.
- short-changed
If you pay $10 for a $7 item, the $3 you receive back is called "change." If you pay $10 for a $7 item and you only receive $2 back, then you were shortchanged.
As in the example of the "all-day seminar" that was only 3 sessions, the expression short-changed isn't always money. It can refer to anything that does not meet expectations or requirements.
- cash in on something
This idiom is often used for making money easily - like when companies try to cash in on (profit from) current trends.
- pay the price
If you drink too much alcohol, you will pay the price with a headache the next morning. If you eat lots of fast food and never exercise, you will pay the price with health problems later. If you don't study, you will pay the price by feeling stressed when it's time for the test. You get the idea! Now take the practice quiz and try the short answer writing exercises.
