ESL Speaking

Games + Activities to Try Out Today!

  • Adult Activities
  • Kid Activities
  • Textbooks
    • ESL Textbooks for Adults
    • ESL Textbooks for Children
  • Teacher Resources
    • Resources
    • Online TEFL Course
  • Learn English
    • Learn English
    • Confusing English Words

in Learn English

A Dime a Dozen Meaning, Origin, and Example

Think of some things that are too common so that they are not that valuable. Those things are very common to find and easy to obtain which makes us undermine the value. We can call these cheap, ordinary, or common things “a dime a dozen.” It is a commonly used English idiom with an interesting history. Learn everything about the expression “a dime a dozen,” including the meaning, origin, and examples.

a dime a dozen english idiom meaning

A Dime a Dozen: English Idiom Meaning

A Dime a Dozen

English idioms are hard to understand at first glance. It can be harder than simply memorizing a vocabulary word. Especially if your first language is not English and you don’t come from a country that uses dime coins, it will not make sense. Learning the origin of the idiom and what a dime is will help you understand this expression better.

What is a dime?

Dime is a type of coin, and it is worth 10 cents. Canada and the United States both have their own dime coins. The size is almost the same for both Canadian and American dimes. The Candian dime is made of nickel, so it is magnetic. However, the American dime is mostly made of copper, so it is not magnetic.

what does a dime a dozen mean

What does a dime a dozen mean?

A Dime a Dozen Meaning

When someone says that something is a dime a dozen, it is very common and doesn’t have a special value. This idiom is used in a negative way. Saying that something is very common and easy to get cannot be a compliment!

Synonym

Here are some synonyms of a dime a dozen:

  • ordinary
  • common
  • cheap
  • prevalent
  • widespread
  • ample

Origin of A Dime a Dozen

The expression was first seen in the 1800s in the United States. During this time, people were often able to buy a dozen grocery items with a dime. So, 12 things only cost $0.10. Some of these things included apples, buns, and eggs. It was a phrase for shops to attract grocery shoppers. It will make more sense if you understand “a dime a dozen,” the 19th-century version of “buy one get one free.”

So, the fun fact is that a dime a dozen used to be a good, positive thing. It meant that buyers were able to get things at a good deal! However, now it is used in a negative way to describe something with not much value.

A Dime a Dozen Examples

See “a dime a dozen” in example sentences. After going over the examples, try making your own sentence using the idiom.

  • Grocery store coupons are a dime a dozen; You can find a bunch of them in the mailbox.
  • In Korea, coffee shops are a dime a dozen. There are so many of them everywhere!
  • Professor Kim is relaly generous with grading, so A+ is a dime a dozen in her class.
  • I have so many black clothes in my closet. They are a dime a dozen.

Other English Idioms, Expressions, Vocabulary

Check out other commonly used English expressions and words to improve your vocabulary!

  • Idiom: the best of both world
  • Idiom: turn a blind eye
  • English Slangs
  • Confusing words in English

FAQs About A Dime a Dozen Idiom

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the English idiom a dime a dozen.

What does the saying a dime a dozen mean?

A dime a dozen means that something doesn’t have a lot of value or it is very common and easy to get. For example, antique bowls and cups are a dime a dozen at garage sales. Why? Because there is a lot of them and they are all really cheap!

Is a dime a dozen an insult?

A dime a dozen is used in a negative way. If you say it to a person, it can be an insult. For example, if you say something like, “girls like Jen are a dime a dozen,”  Jen could feel insulted. It means that there are a lot of girls like her, and there is nothing special about her.

Where does the term a dime a dozen come from?

The term a dime a dozen was first seen in the 1800s in the US when many grocery items cost 10 cents for a dozen (12).

What is 10 cents called in Canada?

A dime is equal to 10 cents in Canada and the US.

a dime a dozen meaning origin example

A dime a dozen meaning, origin, examples

A Dime a dozen Meaning: Join the Conversation

What are your thoughts on this English expression a dime a dozen? Did you already know this idiom, or did you learn something new? If there is an expression or idiom that you want to learn about, let us know in the comments! We’d love to hear from you and want to help you learn English!

About Jackie

Jackie Bolen has been teaching English for more than 20 years to students in South Korea and Canada. She's taught all ages, levels and kinds of TEFL classes. She holds an MA degree, along with the Celta and Delta English teaching certifications.

Jackie is the author of more than 100 books for English teachers and English learners, including 101 ESL Activities for Teenagers and Adults, Great Debates for ESL/EFL, and 1001 English Expressions and Phrases. She loves to share her ESL games, activities, teaching tips, and more with other teachers throughout the world.

You can find her on social media at:
YouTube
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram

« Turn a Blind Eye Meaning, Origin, and Example
ESL Board Games: Try out a TEFL Speaking Board Game Today »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Great Debates for ESL/EFL: 39 Important Debating Topics for English Learners and Teachers (Teaching...
Great Debates for ESL/EFL: 39 Important Debating Topics for English Learners and Teachers (Teaching...
Check Price on Amazon
103 Low-Prep ESL Speaking Games & Activities for Kids, Teenagers, and Adults: The Ultimate Book for...
103 Low-Prep ESL Speaking Games & Activities for Kids, Teenagers, and Adults: The Ultimate Book for...
Check Price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. What does this mean? I recommend products (only ones that I like) and if you purchase a product through that link, I earn some money.

Search this site

39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For English Teachers of Teenagers and Adults Who Want...
39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For English Teachers of Teenagers and Adults Who Want...
Check Price on Amazon
TOEFL iBT Vocabulary Builder for Score 90+: Higher-Level TOEFL Words, Expressions, Phrases & Idioms...
TOEFL iBT Vocabulary Builder for Score 90+: Higher-Level TOEFL Words, Expressions, Phrases & Idioms...
Check Price on Amazon
101 ESL Activities: Games, Activities, Practical ideas, & Teaching Tips For English Teachers of...
101 ESL Activities: Games, Activities, Practical ideas, & Teaching Tips For English Teachers of...
Check Price on Amazon

Different Types of Adverbs with Adverb Examples

Asking for Permission English Expressions, Phrases & Dialogues

Books For English Learners: Top 20 Easy Book Recommendations

Topics to Debate about With Friends | Debate Topics for Friends

50 Food Trivia Questions and Answers for All Ages

Online TEFL Courses

Get Certified Entirely Online

67 ESL Conversation Topics with Questions, Vocabulary, Writing Prompts & More: For English Teachers...
67 ESL Conversation Topics with Questions, Vocabulary, Writing Prompts & More: For English Teachers...
Check Price on Amazon
Scatter Sheets for Intermediate-Advanced Students to Improve Fluency: ESL Speaking & Vocabulary...
Scatter Sheets for Intermediate-Advanced Students to Improve Fluency: ESL Speaking & Vocabulary...
Check Price on Amazon
1001 English Expressions and Phrases: Common Sentences and Dialogues Used by Native English Speakers...
1001 English Expressions and Phrases: Common Sentences and Dialogues Used by Native English Speakers...
Check Price on Amazon
39 ESL Warm-Ups: For English Teachers of Kids (7+) Who Want to Get their TEFL Classes Started Off...
39 ESL Warm-Ups: For English Teachers of Kids (7+) Who Want to Get their TEFL Classes Started Off...
Check Price on Amazon
Jackie Bolen

Disclosure Statement

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Adult Activities
  • Kid Activities
  • Textbooks
  • Teacher Resources
  • Learn English

Our Top-Seller

39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For Teenagers and Adults (Teaching ESL Conversation and...
39 No-Prep/Low-Prep ESL Speaking Activities: For Teenagers and Adults (Teaching ESL Conversation and...
Check Price on Amazon

Search

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

More ESL Activities

making weekend plans in english

Weekend Plans (Easy English Dialogue for Beginners)

how to order sushi in English

Ordering Sushi (Easy English Dialogue for Beginners)

English dialogue feeling under the weather

Feeling Under the Weather: English Dialogue & Practice Questions

dialogue meet someone new

Meeting Someone New Dialogue (For English Learners)

About, Contact, Privacy Policy

Jackie Bolen has been talking ESL speaking since 2014 and the goal is to bring you the best recommendations for English conversation games, activities, lesson plans and more. It’s your go-to source for everything TEFL!

About and Contact for ESL Speaking.

Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Email: [email protected]

Facebook

Pinterest

TikTok

YouTube

LinkedIn

Address: 2436 Kelly Ave, Port Coquitlam, Canada

Copyright © 2025 Jackie Bolen + ESL Speaking. All Rights Reserved.