What does “Drop a dime” mean?
"Drop a dime" means to make a phone call, especially to report someone to the police.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He decided to drop a dime on his neighbor for suspicious activity.
Example
She threatened to drop a dime on her ex-boyfriend if he didn't leave her alone.
Example
The witness finally dropped a dime and provided crucial information to the authorities
Is “Drop a dime” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Drop a dime” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Drop a dime” effectively in context?
You can use "Drop a dime" to describe the action of making a phone call, especially to report someone to the police. It implies that the information being provided is crucial or potentially incriminating. For example, if you witness suspicious activity in your neighborhood, you might say, 'I'm going to drop a dime on my neighbor and let the police know what I saw.'
- 1Crime Reporting
He decided to drop a dime on his neighbor for suspicious activity.
- 2Dealing with Harassment
She threatened to drop a dime on her ex-boyfriend if he didn't leave her alone.
- 3Providing Information
The witness finally dropped a dime and provided crucial information to the authorities.
Similar phrases to “Drop a dime”:
Ring up
To make a phone call
Example
He rang up his friend to invite him to the party.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Drop a dime” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Drop a dime" can be traced back to the mid-20th century when payphones were prevalent. In those days, making a phone call required a dime (10 cents). The phrase "drop a dime" refers to the act of inserting a dime into a payphone to make a call, particularly to report someone to the police.
Is “Drop a dime” common in everyday conversation?
The phrase "Drop a dime" is not as commonly used in everyday conversation today as it was in the past. However, it may still be understood by some English speakers, especially those familiar with older slang or nostalgic references to payphones.
What tone does “Drop a dime” have?
"Drop a dime" conveys a tone of reporting or informing authorities about a situation. It can have a slightly negative connotation, as it often implies reporting someone's wrongdoing or suspicious behavior.
Can “Drop a dime” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "drop a dime" is more informal and casual in nature. It is typically used in informal conversations or storytelling rather than in formal settings.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He decided to drop a dime and report his neighbor to the police.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to "drop a dime"!' to imply the intention to make a phone call.
