Penny, nickel & dime – money phrases and idioms

Let’s get started
with a warm-up

Match the terms for money to their value.
buck dime nickel penny quarter

Let’s check your answers.
penny
dime
nickel
buck
quarter
buck dime nickel penny quarter

Let’s learn some
money phrases
and idioms

Complete the phrases and idioms below with the words in the box. [part 1/2]
big dozen every five flip
make other pincher two
put in one’s ……………..……… cents → express one's opinion
be a dime a ……………..……… → be very common and not valuable
a ……………..……… and dime → a store that sells small items at low prices
……………..……… bucks → a large amount of money
……………..……… a quick buck → earn money easily and quickly

Complete the phrases and idioms below with the words in the box. [part 2/2]
a penny ……………..……… → a person who is unwilling to spend money
be worth ……………..……… penny → be worth all the money
the ……………..……… side of the coin → a different way of considering a situation
……………..……… a coin → throw a coin in the air to decide between
two choices
big dozen every five flip
make other pincher two

Let’s check your answers. [part 1/2]
put in one’s ……………..……… cents → express one's opinion
be a dime a ……………..……… → be very common and not valuable
a ……………..……… and dime → a store that sells small items at low prices
……………..……… bucks → a large amount of money
……………..……… a quick buck → earn money easily and quickly
two
five
dozen
big
make
big dozen every five flip
make other pincher two

a penny ……………..……… → a person who is unwilling to spend money
be worth ……………..……… penny → be worth all the money
the ……………..……… side of the coin → a different way of considering a situation
……………..……… a coin → throw a coin in the air to decide between
two choices
Let’s check your answers. [part 2/2]
pincher
every
other
flip
big dozen every five flip
make other pincher two

It’s speaking time!

Discuss the questions. [part 1/2]
How often do you flip a coin to make a decision? Do you believe in fate?
Talk about one thing you bought that was worth every penny.
What can you buy in five and dimes in your country? Do you go there often? What things do you usually buy there?
Who is a penny pincher among your friends and family? Are you a penny pincher?

Discuss the questions. [part 2/2]
Have you ever made a quick buck? How did you do that?
What academic degrees are a dime a dozen nowadays?
Do you know anybody who always puts in his/her two cents even when they are not experts in the discussed topic? Does that behaviour annoy you?
What professions in your country earn big bucks? How has it changed over the years?