Choose the correct meaning of the given idiom/phrase from the options:
A dime a dozen
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
Correct Answer
Very common
Explanation
The idiom "a dime a dozen" is used to describe something that is extremely common, abundant, and of very little value because it is so easy to find.
The origin of this phrase comes from 19th-century commerce, where a "dime" was a United States coin worth ten cents. If a merchant sold an item at the rate of a dime for a whole dozen (twelve items), it meant those items were incredibly cheap, mass-produced, and ordinary. Over time, the phrase transitioned into a figurative expression meaning that something is so widespread that it is no longer special or unique.
The other options are incorrect because they state the exact opposite of what the idiom means.
The choices "Very rare" and "Hard to find" are direct antonyms of the idiom. If something is a dime a dozen, you can encounter it anywhere effortlessly.
The choice "Extremely expensive" contradicts the financial origin of the phrase, which emphasizes extreme cheapness and low value.
Therefore, Option 4 is the correct answer.
Key Points
Idioms related to availability and value are common in competitive English tests.
The phrase "a dime a dozen" highlights that an item or characteristic is ordinary and very common.
A similar common idiom is "run-of-the-mill," which also means ordinary or completely average.
An opposite idiom is "rare bird" or "one in a million," which refers to something exceptionally unique or hard to find.