on a dime

Idioms and Phrases

In a very small space, suddenly, as in That horse is so well trained it can turn on a dime . This expression alludes to the fact that the dime is the smallest-size U.S. coin. [Early 1900s]

Example Sentences

Stewart made his frustration clear but pivoted on a dime, quickly moving on to an interview with Arizona Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, which the governor noted was a fill-in gig.

From Salon

“On a dime, we reimagined large swaths of our streetscape, kept restaurants and bars afloat, protected and preserved the hospitality industry while making New York City so much more dynamic.”

From Slate

“Nobody else is 6-6, 240 pounds,” Harbaugh said, “can stand in the pocket with people draped on him and still throw a ball 40 yards down the field on a dime, as the young people call it.”

From Los Angeles Times

And it's also not easy to change those circumstances on a dime if you've been a career pilot for however many years, right?

From Salon

This race has been moving at lightning speed, the trajectory of polling in several states turned on a dime in the last couple of weeks, and Harris’ favorability ratings shot up in record time after Biden endorsed her.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• directly
• immediately
• instantaneously
• right away