ə daɪm ə ˈdʌzən
Money & Finance
informal
beginner
- Literally:
- Something that costs ten cents for twelve items
What does "a dime a dozen" mean?
- Something very common and not valuable or special
- Easy to find and inexpensive
Examples
- Freelance writers are a dime a dozen these days.
- Good ideas are a dime a dozen; it's execution that matters.
- In Hollywood, aspiring actors are a dime a dozen.
Origin
Originated in mid-19th century America when many goods were actually sold at very low prices (a dime for 12 items). Over time, it came to mean anything commonplace or of little value.
How to use it
This is a North American idiom. British English uses 'two a penny' or 'ten a penny' with the same meaning. Often used to dismiss something as unimpressive.
Similar expressions
common as dirt
two a penny (British)
ten a penny
Opposites
rare
one of a kind
priceless
Related idioms
- pay an arm and a leg
To pay an extremely high price
- make ends meet
To earn just enough money to cover basic expenses
- cost an arm and a leg
To be very expensive
- money doesn't grow on trees
Money is not easily acquired; it must be earned
- break the bank
To cost too much money
- hit the jackpot
To achieve great success or win something valuable
Use it in a practice answer
Try "a dime a dozen" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.