a dime a dozen
Meaning
Extremely common and easy to get; not special or valuable because there are so many of them.
Origin
From U.S. pricing: a dime (10¢) suggests something cheap, and “a dozen” suggests abundance. By the early 1900s, it was used to say something is plentiful and therefore of little value.
Notes
Often mildly dismissive: it implies something is so common it has little value. Common in conversation; be careful using it about people or creative work as it can sound insulting.
Examples
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Cheap phone cases are a dime a dozen online, so I looked for one with better reviews.
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In that neighborhood, coffee shops are a dime a dozen, but only a few are actually good.
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Ideas are a dime a dozen; what matters is whether you can execute them.
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He thinks his vintage sneakers are rare, but they’re a dime a dozen at flea markets.
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Internship applications were a dime a dozen, so we focused on candidates with strong portfolios.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used as a predicate: “X is a dime a dozen” / “They’re a dime a dozen.” Fixed phrase; rarely pluralized. Often without “like,” though “like they’re a dime a dozen” occurs.
Synonyms
- very common
- commonplace
- ten a penny
- two a penny
- a penny a dozen
Antonyms
- rare
- one of a kind
- unique
- hard to come by