for around a penny

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for around a penny" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the cost of an item or service that is very inexpensive, typically in a casual or informal context. Example: "You can buy a piece of candy for around a penny at the local store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Options Media's stock, which had been trading for around a penny before Bieber got involved, spiked briefly following his endorsement.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And though no one famous is taking credit for it, in Canada, they've turned that around: "A penny destroyed is money in the bank".

Los Angeles Times

McNally says it costs around a penny for each number listed yet some locals have charged up to 10 cents per listing when selling the data to long distance firms.

Forbes

But in for a penny, in for a pound.

The New York Times

In for a penny, in for a pound.

The Guardian - Music

Hitchens' reply: "In for a penny, in for a pound".

Huffington Post

Well, in for a penny, eh?

The Guardian - Books

Around the other, draw around a 2 pence coin five or six times, as shown below.

The Guardian

Trotsky had arrived in New York on January 14th, after being expelled from France and Spain, and found work at Novy Mir, a tiny Russian newspaper that was sold for a penny around the East Village and the Lower East Side.

The New Yorker

For example, disposable RF EAS tags are now available for as little as a penny each (Loebbecke and Palmer 2006).

Crime Science

A penny for you, a penny for me, a penny for Ruby Laffoon".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for around a penny" when you want to emphasize how incredibly inexpensive something is, often to highlight a surprising or unexpected low cost.

Common error

Avoid using "for around a penny" in formal or professional contexts. While it effectively conveys low cost, it may sound too casual. Opt for more formal alternatives like "at a minimal cost" or "for a nominal fee" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for around a penny" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate the price or cost of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for around a penny" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to denote extreme inexpensiveness. As Ludwig AI notes, it's usable in written English, although its informal tone makes it more suitable for casual contexts than formal ones. Its communicative purpose is to emphasize the low cost of something. While predominantly found in news and media sources, its usage is relatively uncommon overall. When aiming for precision or formality, consider alternatives like "at a minimal cost".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for about a cent

Replaces "penny" with "cent", maintaining the meaning of a very small amount of money.

practically free

Highlights that the item is almost without cost.

for next to nothing

Emphasizes the extreme cheapness of something.

at a very low cost

Generalizes the idea of being inexpensive, without mentioning a specific monetary unit.

dirt cheap

An informal way of saying something is extremely inexpensive.

at a bargain price

Highlights the advantageous price point, suggesting it's a good deal.

for a nominal fee

Suggests a very small charge that is almost symbolic.

for a song

An idiomatic expression meaning something is bought or sold very cheaply.

for a trifling sum

Emphasizes the insignificance of the amount of money involved.

at a giveaway price

Indicates that the price is so low it's like giving it away.

FAQs

How can I use "for around a penny" in a sentence?

You can use "for around a penny" to describe something very inexpensive, such as "During the promotion, you could get each app "for around a penny"".

What does "for around a penny" mean?

"For around a penny" means that something costs a very small amount of money, almost nothing.

Is "for around a penny" an idiom?

While not a formal idiom, "for around a penny" is a common expression used to emphasize the low cost of something.

What can I say instead of "for around a penny"?

Alternatives include "for about a cent", "for next to nothing", or "at a very low cost" depending on the context.