Table of Contents
What Does “A Dime’s Worth” Mean?
Definition
An insignificant amount or something of very little value.
Examples of “A Dime’s Worth” in Sentences
- At best, he’ll make a dime’s worth of difference with his interference in the affair.
- Her speech added barely a dime’s worth of value to the discussion.
- If you don’t put in the effort, you won’t get a dime’s worth of results.
- The repairs they made were so minor, they weren’t worth a dime’s worth of trouble.
Origin and Cultural Context
The idiom comes from the idea that a dime is a small coin (10 cents) in the U.S., symbolizing something minimal or of little consequence. It reflects the tendency in English to use money metaphors to express value or lack thereof — like not worth a penny or nickel and dime someone.
When to Use This Idiom
This idiom is often used to downplay the importance or impact of something. It can express skepticism, dismissiveness, or the idea that something is trivial or insignificant.
For example, if someone offers advice that doesn’t seem helpful, you might say:
“Thanks, but that advice isn’t worth a dime’s worth of help.”
Related Idioms
- Not worth a penny — Completely worthless.
- Nickel and dime (someone) — To charge small, annoying fees or to treat someone cheaply.
- A penny for your thoughts — Asking someone to share what they’re thinking.
- A dime a dozen — Something very common or easy to find.
- Not worth a penny — Completely worthless.
- Cost an arm and a leg — To be extremely costly.
- Cash cow — A consistently profitable business or product.
- At the drop of a dime — Immediately, without hesitation.
- Turn on a dime — To change direction or opinion very quickly.
Practice: Test Your Understanding
Fill in the blanks with the correct idiom:
at the drop of a dime – a dime a dozen – a penny for your thoughts – a dime’s worth – not worth a penny – nickel and dime – turn on a dime
- His apology was so insincere, it was __________.
- They argued for hours, but in the end, their efforts made only __________ difference.
- The landlord kept adding small charges to the bill, trying to __________ us.
- You’ve been quiet all day __________?
- Books like this are ________.
- John is usually a friendly guy, but his temper can _________ from time to time.
- We can’t just change plans _______ — we need to save money and think carefully first.
This idiom is part of the Money Idioms category.
