(as) bright as a penny
(as) bright as a penny
Especially intelligent, astute, or perceptive. Ted's as bright as a penny, so he'll find a solution to this problem. Of course Ellen could be valedictorian—she's bright as a penny. My granddad may be old and cantankerous, but he's still bright as a penny. You can't get anything past him.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
bright as a button/new penny
Of quick intelligence. The expression links the sparkle of a good mind with the shininess of a brass button or new coin. The adjective bright has been used in the sense of “quick-witted” and “intelligent” since about 1700.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
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