A dime a dozen

A dime a dozen is an idiom used by many writers. When idioms are used in the right place, they open the doors of effective communication and increase your descriptive power. In this way, you will be better understood. The meaning of the expression A dime a dozen is also remarkable in this respect.

Meaning of "A dime a dozen"

Meaning

The phrase “a dime a dozen” is an idiom used to describe items or people that are plentiful or easily obtainable and therefore of little value. The phrase suggests that such items or people can be acquired for the price of a dime, or with little effort or cost. Thus, something that is described as “a dime a dozen” is replaceable and insignificant.

Etymology

The phrase is thought to have originated in the late 1800s as an American idiomatic expression. The phrase may have been derived from the older biblical phrase “common as dirt”, or from the fact that a dozen items could be bought for a dime at the time. The phrase has been found in print as early as 1884 and was widely used by the early 1900s.

Usage

The phrase “a dime a dozen” is widely used to describe items or people that are plentiful and of little value. It is often used both literally, to refer to actual items or people, and figuratively, to refer to abstract concepts. For example, a person may refer to “cheap restaurants” as being “a dime a dozen”, meaning they are easy to find and of low quality.

Example Sentences

• “This neighborhood has a lot of discount stores; they're a dime a dozen around here.”
• “My job doesn't pay very well because there are so many people looking for work; minimum wage positions are a dime a dozen.”
• “I don't think I need to buy this cheaply-made toy; they're a dime a dozen at the store.”

From One Language to Another: Idioms in Translation

Translating idioms from one language to another can be a tricky task, as the cultural context behind an idiom can be difficult to capture. For example, the French phrase "avoir le cafard" translates to "to have the cockroach," which means to feel down or depressed. Similarly, the Chinese idiom "????" (j?ng d? zh? w?) translates to "frog at the bottom of a well," which refers to someone with a narrow view of the world.