WordValea dime a dozen
very common and of little value
In more detail
(idiom) very common and not valuable or special; something that is easy to find because many similar things exist
Examples
- Cheap smartphones are a dime a dozen these days.
How to use a dime a dozen
This idiom conveys dismissal or mild contempt, suggesting something lacks rarity or special value because it is plentiful. It's often used when comparing one thing unfavorably to many similar alternatives, or when expressing that something common is unremarkable. The tone is typically casual and somewhat disparaging.
Common phrases
- a dime a dozen around here
- they're a dime a dozen
- nothing but a dime a dozen
- practically a dime a dozen
Synonyms
common as dirt · a penny a pound · ten a penny · unremarkable · abundant
Opposites
rare · unique · one of a kind
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse the idiom with literal prices or monetary values rather than understanding it as an expression of abundance and lack of value.
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