nickel and dime: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘nickel and dime’ mean?
The idiom "nickel and dime" means to engage in small, insignificant actions or to focus on trivial matters that have little value or impact, usually in a business or financial context.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "Yankee dime" refers to a small amount of money, often given as a tip or a small payment. The term "Yankee" signifies the American culture, while a "dime" denotes a ten-cent coin. Together, the idiom implies a modest sum of money.
The idiom "on the money" means to be exactly correct or accurate.
The idiom "on someone's dime" means that someone is paying for something on another person's behalf, usually referring to expenses or costs. It implies that someone else is covering the expenses, taking responsibility for the payment.
The idiom *onesey-twosey* means to do something in small, irregular or inconsistent quantities, rather than all at once or consistently. It implies a lack of organization or commitment.
The idiom "odds and ends" refers to various small, miscellaneous things that do not belong to a specific category and are often considered unimportant or insignificant.
The idiom "not worth a plug nickel" means something has little or no value. The phrase "plug nickel" refers to a coin that is worthless or has no purchasing power.
The idiom "not worth a dime" means something or someone does not have any value or is not valuable. It suggests that the thing or person is not worth even a small amount of money.
The idiom "not to put too fine a point on it" means to say something without being overly precise or explicit, typically to avoid causing offense or discomfort.
The idiom "not much of anything" means a lack of substance, value, or importance. It implies that there is very little or almost nothing in terms of quantity, quality, or significance.
Uncovering the Origins
The idiom *nickel and dime* is a commonly used phrase in American English, referring to small or insignificant amounts of money. It has a negative connotation and is often used to describe situations where someone is being treated unfairly or taken advantage of financially.
The phrase *nickel and dime* originated from the denominations of the currency in the United States. A nickel is worth five cents, while a dime is worth ten cents. Therefore, the idiom implies dealing with small amounts of money, often in an unfair or excessive manner.
The idiom *nickel and dime* is related to several other idioms that use the words "nickel" and "dime" in different ways. For example, the phrase *nickel-and-dime* is used to describe someone or something that is trivial or insignificant. It can be used to describe a person who is overly concerned with small or unimportant details, or to describe a situation or problem that is not significant in the grand scheme of things.
Another related idiom is *dime's worth*, which refers to the value or worth of something. It is often used in the phrase "not worth a dime," meaning that something has little or no value or importance. In contrast, the phrase "worth every dime" is used to describe something that is extremely valuable or worthwhile.
The idiom *Yankee dime* is a regional variation of the phrase *dime*, which is used to refer to the ten-cent coin in the United States. The term *Yankee* is used to specifically refer to people from the northeastern states of the U.S. Therefore, *Yankee dime* can be used to describe someone or something that is associated with the northeastern United States or has its origins in that region.
Lastly, the term *nickel nurser* is another related idiom that is used to describe someone who is very frugal or stingy with their money. The phrase implies that the person is so concerned about saving money that they are unwilling to spend even small amounts. It can be used to describe a person who is excessively thrifty or reluctant to part with their money.
The idiom *nickel and dime* is an important phrase in American English that is used to convey the idea of dealing with small amounts of money or being overly focused on trivial details. It reflects a sense of unfair treatment or exploitation, particularly in financial transactions. The origins and early usage of the idiom can be traced back to the early 20th century, but its application has expanded beyond monetary contexts to portray a broader sentiment of triviality and discontent.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *nickel and dime* can be used in a sentence:
- She complained that the company nickel and dimes its employees by charging for every little thing, like parking and office supplies.
- The government decided to nickel and dime taxpayers by implementing small fees on various services, making people feel financially burdened.
- The airline industry is notorious for nickel and diming customers with additional charges for baggage, seat selection, and in-flight snacks.
More "Finance" idioms
