penny (redirected from pinching your pennies)

be penny-wise and pound-foolish (old-fashioned)

to be extremely careful about small amounts of money and not careful enough about larger amounts of money. Saving a little bit of money on repairs can lead to long-term damage. You don't want to be penny-wise and pound-foolish, now do you?

be ten/two a penny (British & Australian)

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

See also: ten, two

cost (someone) a pretty penny

to be very expensive. That diamond ring must have cost him a pretty penny.

See also: cost, pretty

not have two pennies to rub together (British, American & Australian, American)

to be very poor. She's been out of work for months and doesn't have two pennies to rub together.

See also: rub, together, two

In for a penny, (in for a pound). (British & Australian)

something that you say when you have decided to become very involved in an activity, and to put a lot of money or effort into it. I've put all my savings into this new venture. In for a penny, in for a pound.

penny ante (American)

of little value or importance. He was proposing some penny ante increase in child-care that amounted to an extra ten dollars a week. We were burgled but they didn't take much - just penny ante stuff in the front office.

See also: ante

the penny drops (British & Australian)

if you say the penny drops, you mean that you have finally understood something. It was only when I saw Ron's car outside Penny's house that the penny finally dropped and I realised they were having an affair.

See also: drop

A penny for your thoughts.

something that you say in order to ask someone who is being very quiet what they are thinking about. 'A penny for your thoughts.' 'Oh, I was just thinking about how to tell him I'm leaving.'

See also: thought

A penny saved is a penny earned.

something that you say which means it is wise to save money. I'd advise anyone to put aside a proportion of their earnings - a penny saved is a penny earned.

See also: earn, save

spend a penny (British & Australian, informal)

if you say you are going to spend a penny, you mean you are going to go to the toilet. Excuse me, I must go and spend a penny.

See also: spend

turn up like a bad penny (old-fashioned)

to arrive at a place or event where you are not wanted. She'll turn up again, like a bad penny, just you see.

See also: bad, like, turn

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a penny for your thoughts

I would like to know what you are thinking about. For several minutes they sat silently, then finally she looked at him and said, “A penny for your thoughts, Walter.”

See also: thought

penny wise and pound foolish

unwise because doing something small now would prevent much more trouble later. Education budget cuts are penny wise and pound foolish – public education is an investment in our future.

See also: foolish, pound, wise