ten (redirected from X)

be ten/two a penny (British & Australian)

to be very common. TV cookery shows seem to be ten a penny these days.

See also: penny, two

nine times out of ten

almost always. Nine times out of ten when you're dreading an occasion it turns out to be perfectly all right.

See also: nine, times

nineteen/ten to the dozen (British & Australian, informal)

if someone is talking nineteen to the dozen, they are talking very fast, without stopping. Gaby was chatting away nineteen to the dozen behind me and I couldn't concentrate.

See also: dozen

---

nine times out of ten

almost always. When a company has to lay off workers, nine times out of ten women employees are the first to be fired.

See also: nine, times

not touch something with a ten-foot pole

to not want to become involved with something. If I were you, I wouldn't touch that job with a ten-foot pole.

Usage notes: often used as a warning

See also: pole, touch