dozen

a baker's dozen (old-fashioned)

thirteen. The judges selected a baker's dozen of promising entries from the hundreds they received.

be a dime a dozen (American & Australian, informal)

to be common and not have much value. Romantic novels like these are a dime a dozen.

See also: dime

by the dozen

if something is being produced by the dozen, large numbers of that thing are being produced. The government is producing new policies by the dozen.

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: ten

six of one and half a dozen of the other

if you say that a bad situation is six of one and half a dozen of the other, you mean that two people or groups are equally responsible. Harriet's always accusing Donald of starting arguments, but if you ask me, it's six of one and half a dozen of the other.

See also: half, other, six

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by the dozen

in large numbers. He would sit all day in the dark watching videos by the dozen.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of by the dozen (= in groups of twelve)

a dime a dozen

commonly available. Remember, editors are a dime a dozen, so if she causes trouble, fire her.

See also: dime

half a dozen

a few of something. I've got half a dozen fishing poles that I never use.

Usage notes: used when the exact number is not important

See also: half

six of one, (and) half a dozen of the other

two things are almost the same or equal. I also compared the two stereos, and in most respects it's six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Etymology: based on the idea that half a dozen (= half of 12) is equal to six

See also: half, other, six