penny for your thoughts

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penny for your thoughts

A phrase said when one is trying to find out what another person is thinking. You've been awfully quiet tonight, honey—a penny for your thoughts?

See also: for, penny, thought

penny for your thoughts

Prov. What are you thinking about?; I would give you a penny if you tell me your thoughts. Noticing that Janet looked pensive, Bill said, "A penny for your thoughts!" You seem very pleased with yourself today. A penny for your thoughts!

See also: for, penny, thought

penny for your thoughts, a

What are you thinking about? For example, You've been awfully quiet-a penny for your thoughts. This expression dates from the 1500s and was in John Heywood's 1546 collection of proverbs.

a penny for your thoughts

People say a penny for your thoughts when they want to know what someone is thinking. `A penny for your thoughts,' Marina said with a smile.

See also: for, penny, thought

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

a penny for your thoughts

used to ask someone what they are thinking about. informal

See also: for, penny, thought

a ˌpenny for your ˈthoughts

(also a ˈpenny for them) (saying) used to ask somebody what they are thinking about: A penny for your thoughts, Hugh! You haven’t said anything all evening!

See also: for, penny, thought

penny for your thoughts, a

What are you thinking about? This expression was actually first stated early in the sixteenth century and was included in John Heywood’s 1546 proverb collection. A penny no longer is worth much, but the expression, much repeated over the years, survives nevertheless.