a dime a dozen

USAGE SUMMARY

"a dime a dozen" is a correct and commonly used expression in written English.
It is used to describe something that is very common or easy to find. For example: "With all the restaurants in this city, good Mexican food is a dime a dozen!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

They're a dime a dozen".

The New Yorker

Now they are a dime a dozen.

The Economist

Authors are a dime a dozen.

The New Yorker

You're a dime a dozen".

The New York Times - Magazine

Conservative pundits are a dime a dozen.

The Guardian

"Screwdrivers are a dime a dozen".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"A dime-a-dozen cleric" was one response, by Gregory Johnsen, a Princeton professor who studies Yemen.

The New York Times

The problem with Mitt is that he is a dime-a-dozen Northeast manager.

The New York Times - Magazine

Website creation software is a dime-a-dozen.

TechCrunch

The 680/690 kid is a dime-a-dozen.

Forbes

High-tech watches are, arguably, a dime-a-dozen.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider alternatives like "common" or "widespread" if the idiomatic nature of "a dime a dozen" seems out of place.

Common error

Avoid using "a dime a dozen" when simply stating something is common without the implication of low value. For instance, saying "Stars are a dime a dozen" implies many stars lack uniqueness. If you only mean they are numerous, choose a more neutral phrase.

Linguistic Context

"A dime a dozen" functions as an idiom, meaning something is very common and of little value. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a correct expression in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing commonplace things like "iPhone games" or "political ads".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dime a dozen" is a common idiom used to describe something that is easily available and not particularly valuable or unique. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, but also appears in academic writing. While it is a versatile expression, it's crucial to use it when the implication of low value or lack of uniqueness is intended, and to consider more formal alternatives in certain writing situations. Related phrases include "very common" and "easily found".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ten a penny

British equivalent expressing something common and of little value.

very common

Focuses on the frequency of occurrence rather than the low value.

two a penny

Suggests very low cost and high availability but less common than "a dime a dozen".

easily found

Highlights the ease of acquisition rather than the abundance or low cost.

in abundance

Emphasizes the plentiful supply, but not necessarily the low cost or value.

in great supply

Focuses on the large quantity available.

commonplace

Highlights the ordinariness and lack of uniqueness.

a glut of

Refers to an excessive supply, often leading to lower value or prices.

nothing special

Indicates a lack of exceptional qualities or distinction.

dirt cheap

Emphasizes the extreme affordability, rather than the commonness.

FAQs

How can I use "a dime a dozen" in a sentence?

Use "a dime a dozen" to describe something that is very common and easy to find. For example, "In this city, coffee shops are "a dime a dozen"".

What does it mean when something is described as "a dime a dozen"?

It means that the thing being described is very common and not particularly valuable or unique. It suggests that there are many similar things readily available.

What are some alternative phrases to "a dime a dozen"?

You can use alternatives like "very common", "easily found", or "nothing special" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a dime a dozen" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a dime a dozen" is an idiomatic expression that might be too informal for some formal writing contexts. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "widespread" or "common" in those situations.