a penny or two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a penny or two" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small amount of money or to suggest that something is inexpensive. Example: "I found a great little café that serves delicious pastries for a penny or two."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The operators agreed to pay just a penny or two per subscriber a month until January 2013, and then start paying nearly 20 cents a month on average, according to people with direct knowledge of the deals who asked for anonymity because the details were confidential.

The New York Times

Bag companies and grocery stores would not discuss prices for fear of tipping off competitors, but industry insiders said they ran from $12 to $24 per 1,000, or a penny or two each.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, earning a penny or two every time you spend a dollar in 2009, say by putting more of your expenses on a card that earns money back, is another way to make every cent count when times are tough.

The New York Times

In 1833, refinements in printing technology lowered the cost of a daily newspaper to a penny or two; in the eighteen-forties, newspapers got their news by telegraph; the post office set a special, cheaper rate for newspapers; and, in the eighteen-fifties, newspapers began printing illustrations based on photographs.

The New Yorker

But if it rounds up, you pay extra — even if it's just a penny or two.

The New York Times

A penny or two change in the price translates into a big move in percentage terms.

The New York Times

A penny or two is not a big deal, given the weak economies around the world".

The New York Times

Maybe I'll even shave a penny or two off the basic rate of income tax.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They always seem able to beat the estimates by a penny or two".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

That being said, every other AT&T phone at Amazon is going for a penny today (and today only).

TechCrunch

After the accident, watchmen charged people a penny or two-pence to see the ruins of the beer vats, and visitors came in their hundreds to witness the macabre spectacle.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a penny or two" to emphasize the smallness of an amount, often to illustrate how insignificant it is in a larger context. For example, "Adding a backup generator might increase the cost of gas by "a penny or two", but the benefits outweigh the expense."

Common error

Avoid using "a penny or two" when the actual amount could be more substantial. Using it inappropriately can undermine your credibility. For instance, don't say "The renovations will cost "a penny or two"" if the project is likely to cost thousands of dollars.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a penny or two" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, typically quantifying a cost or amount to emphasize its insignificance. Ludwig's examples show it modifying prices, earnings, and even the impact of tax changes, indicating a minimal value.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The expression "a penny or two" is a common and correct phrase used to denote a very small amount of money, often to emphasize insignificance. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely used in news and media, as well as in more formal business contexts. While grammatically sound, avoid overusing it when the actual amount is significant, which could undermine your message. Alternatives like "a small amount" or "just a bit" can offer similar meaning. Remember to use it to truly reflect insignificance rather than to mislead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a couple of cents

This specifies the amount in cents, directly relating to monetary value but remaining minimal.

a small amount

This alternative uses more general terms to indicate a diminutive quantity.

a tiny sum

This highlights the insignificance of the amount of money being discussed.

very little

This uses simple terms to denote a small quantity or amount.

just a bit

This is a more generic way to indicate a small quantity, applicable to both money and other things.

a trifling amount

This emphasizes the lack of importance of the quantity.

a modest sum

This suggests the amount is small and unpretentious.

next to nothing

This implies the amount is so small as to be almost nonexistent.

a negligible quantity

This highlights that the amount is so small it can be ignored.

hardly anything

This suggests a minimal quantity, nearly imperceptible.

FAQs

How can I use "a penny or two" in a sentence?

The phrase "a penny or two" is used to emphasize a very small amount of money or a negligible cost. For example: "The difference in price between the two options is just "a penny or two"."

What are some alternatives to saying "a penny or two"?

You can use phrases like "a small amount", "a couple of cents", or "just a bit" to convey a similar meaning of a minimal quantity or cost.

When is it appropriate to use the expression "a penny or two"?

It's suitable when you want to downplay the cost or amount involved, suggesting it's almost insignificant. It often implies that the benefit outweighs the minimal expense. Be cautious not to use it when the quantity is more than negligible.

Is "a penny or two" an idiom?

While not a formal idiom, "a penny or two" functions idiomatically to represent a very small amount of money. The literal meaning is a tiny cost, but the implied meaning is often that something is practically free or of very low financial consequence.