on our dime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on our dime" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is being paid for by someone else, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "The company is sending us to the conference, and all expenses will be covered on our dime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

A Michael Melzer writing on Facebook said: "That's at least one less who's living on our dime," while Mirco Grosse said: "Get rid of the muck".

The Guardian

On our dime, of course".

The New York Times

We're still defending the city pretty much on our dime".

The New Yorker

Kelly describes the N.Y.P.D. as defending the city "on our dime".

The New Yorker

The economy is croaking and bankers are still partying at a golf tournament here on our dime.

The New York Times

So the company came up with a new offer — "on our dime," Mr. LaBore said — that gave $20 off on the site.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

As long as we are not told whom we have bailed out, we will be justified in suspecting that a favored few are making gains on our dimes.

The New York Times

"We have built, on our own dime, three payloads," Dr. Stern said.

The New York Times - Science

On our own dime, and on our own time.

Huffington Post

So by the time we hire them (vote them into office), they're already working for someone else, and they'll spend at least half their time "in office" working for third parties with direct conflicts of interest with our own — all on our time and our dime.

Huffington Post

Some of us may not lose all of those wages if we make customer-service calls on our employer's dime.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on our dime" to convey that something is being paid for or supported by a group, often implying a sense of ownership or responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "on our dime" when the financial support is indirect or insignificant, as it can create a misleading impression of direct responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on our dime" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates who is bearing the financial responsibility for something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Social Media

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on our dime" is a common and grammatically correct idiomatic expression used to indicate that something is being paid for or supported by a group, according to Ludwig AI. While generally neutral to informal in register, it frequently appears in news and media contexts. Alternative phrases like "at our expense" offer more formal options. When using "on our dime", ensure it accurately reflects direct financial responsibility and avoid misinterpretations. Ludwig's examples confirm its widespread usage and contextual nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at our expense

Replaces the idiomatic "dime" with a more formal term, focusing on the financial burden.

paid for by us

A straightforward, literal alternative indicating financial responsibility.

funded by our resources

Highlights the source of financial support, emphasizing shared assets.

supported by our contributions

Emphasizes the collective effort and investment involved.

on our account

Similar to "at our expense", suggesting a financial transaction is involved.

charged to us

Directly indicates that the cost is being assigned to a specific party.

taken from our budget

Highlights that money is coming from a previously allocated source.

out of our pockets

Emphasizes the direct, personal financial impact.

using our funds

A neutral way of stating that a financial resource is being used.

courtesy of us

Highlights that someone is being provided with something from your or your group's funds or efforts.

FAQs

What does the phrase "on our dime" mean?

The phrase "on our dime" means that something is being paid for or funded by us (or the group we belong to). It often implies a sense of responsibility or perhaps even resentment about the expenditure.

When is it appropriate to use the idiom "on our dime"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that a particular expense is being covered by a specific group's funds. It can also be used to express concern or disapproval about how those funds are being spent. For example, "The Afghan ambassador to the UN is living in a $4.2 million Manhattan condo "on our dime"."

What are some alternatives to saying "on our dime"?

Alternatives include "at our expense", "paid for by us", or "funded by our resources". The best choice depends on the context and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "on our dime" a formal or informal expression?

The phrase "on our dime" is generally considered informal. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "at our expense" or a more direct statement about funding sources.