Something that turns on an dime changes direction very quickly, more or less instantaneously. The origin of the expression goes back to to high performance cars, airplanes, boats. The ability to turn around on the smallest of coins implies that you can turn very quickly in a very small space..
Similarly, it is asked, what does the phrase turn on a dime mean?
To "turn on a dime" is usually an expression you hear when referring to high performance cars, airplanes, boats, etc. Since a dime is the smallest U.S. coin, the ability to "turn on it" is a figure of speech meaning you can change direction very quickly in a very small space.
Beside above, where did the phrase a dime a dozen come from? The phrase a dime a dozen refers to something very plentiful, common, and therefore, inexpensive. A dime is a unit of U.S. currency that is one tenth of a dollar, or ten cents. The dime was first minted in 1796. In the 1800s, many goods such as eggs or apples were advertised to cost a dime a dozen in the United States.
Then, where did stop on a dime come from?
The dime is the smallest American coin—18 mm in diameter, less than 3/4 of an inch. If the driver of a car were to slam on the brakes and the car came to a complete stop within three-fourths of an inch, that would be practically miraculous. The idiom simply means “stops quickly.”
What does the phrase stop on a dime mean?
Verb. (third-person singular simple present stops on a dime, present participle stopping on a dime, simple past and past participle stopped on a dime) (intransitive, idiomatic, US) To stop dead; stop quickly. Don't tell me to drive real fast in this heavy traffic. You know I can't stop on a dime.
Related Question Answers
What does turn on a sixpence mean?
1. To turn quickly or with agile precision, especially with limited room to maneuver. Primarily heard in UK. The steering is so good on this car that you can turn on a sixpence, even at high speeds. Politicians have no loyalty to their causes—they'll turn on a sixpence if it means they'll get more votes.What does the idiom nickel and dime mean?
(US, idiomatic, colloquial) To charge, or be charged, several unexpected small amounts of money, often in the form of fees, taxes, or related expenses to a venture, which when taken as a whole add up to a significant unexpected cost. I got nickel and dimed to death by the phone company's sneaky extra charges.Who is on the dim?
705 inch (17.91 mm) in diameter and . 053 inch (1.35 mm) in thickness. The obverse of the current dime depicts the profile of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the reverse boasts an olive branch, a torch, and an oak branch, from left to right respectively.What does in a pickle mean?
If you are in a pickle, you are in a difficult position, or have a problem to which no easy answer can be found. The word 'pickle' comes from the Dutch word 'pekel', meaning 'something piquant', and originally referred to a spiced, salted vinegar that was used as a preservative.What does a piece of cake mean?
piece of cake. The saying "a piece of cake" means something that's simple to accomplish. If a school assignment is a piece of cake, it's so easy that you will barely have to think about it. The Americanism cakewalk, used to mean "something easy," came first, in the 1860's — piece of cake wasn't used until around 1936.What does beating around the bush mean?
Beat around the bush (meaning "discuss a matter without coming to the point") has been first used in 1570s; its sense has shifted from "make preliminary motions" to "avoid, evade." See also beat the bushes, which is a way to rouse birds so that they fly into the net which others are holding.What does the idiom no dice mean?
Phrase. no dice. (idiomatic) An unacceptable alternative. (idiomatic) An unfavorable result. (informal) Used to express a negative outcome or decision.What does insult to injury mean?
Definition of add insult to injury : to do or say something that makes a bad situation even worse for someone People were forced to work longer hours, and to add insult to injury, the company decided not to give pay raises.Is a dime a thousand dollars?
In casinos and other gambling, a Dime may refer to a wager worth a thousand dollars. A dime in America is a coin of a ten cents value. Players usually call to “play a dime” in gambling which means to place a bet worth $1000. However, sometimes dime is used to refer to a low amount such as $100.Is roaring trade an idiom?
do a roaring trade. informal. to sell a lot of goods very quickly: It was a hot sunny day and the ice cream sellers were doing a roaring trade.What does the idiom When Pigs Fly mean?
The phrase 'When Pigs Fly' refers to something that is highly unlikely to ever happen. Example of use: “I might wake up early tomorrow to clean my room”. “Yes, you'll do that when pigs fly”.What does it mean to have a chip on one's shoulder?
To have a chip on one's shoulder refers to the act of holding a grudge or grievance that readily provokes disputation. It can also mean a person thinking too much of oneself (often without the credentials) or feeling entitled.What does it mean to dash someone?
dash someone's hopes. Destroy someone's plans, disappoint or disillusion. For example, That fall dashed her hopes of a gold medal. This term uses dash in the sense of “destroy,” a usage surviving only in this idiom. [What does done your dash mean?
do (one's) dash To do something to the fullest extent that one can. Primarily heard in Australia. Whew, I've done my dash!Is check off hyphenated?
When hyphenated, check-in is an adjective or a noun. As a noun, it refers to the act of registering upon arrival. As an adjective, it describes an object used for this purpose. “You will be charged a $50 check-in fee if you arrive after 4pm,” said the receptionist. 
