Lesson 3: English Idioms from Money

Question 1

Smartphone apps are a dime a dozen nowadays, but you could count the ones that are
truly useful on one hand.

If something is "a dime a dozen," it means that it's...

A a popular product
B so common it's worthless
C not functional

Question 2

Although this laptop isn't the most modern one on the market, it gives you the most
bang for your buck in terms of memory and computing power.

If something "gives you the most bang for your buck," it provides the most...

A problem-free technology
B status at a high price
C value for your money

Question 3

I recommend saving up at least 12 months of living expenses before you quit your job.
That's my two cents, anyway.

"My two cents" means...

A my budget
B my experience
C my opinion

Question 4

He sold a comic book from 1975 for $5000. Not only was it a rare edition, but it was also
in mint condition.

"In mint condition" means...

A desired by many people

B perfect; without flaws
C unique

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Question 5

It's so obvious that the vice-president was involved in the scandal. I'd put money on
it.

"I'd put money on it" means...

A I would pay to get more information

B I'm completely certain
C I'm going to tell everybody

Question 6

Harriet is the favorite to win next week's tennis competition, but I think Kayla could
give her a run for her money.

To "give (someone) a run for their money" means...

A to be as good as someone who is known to be extremely good

B to come from behind (go from losing to winning)
C to pay someone to lose a competition on purpose

Question 7

The necklace that Joe gave his wife for their 50th anniversary must have cost a pretty
penny - it contains 50 huge diamonds.

If something "costs a pretty penny," it is...

A beautiful
B expensive
C rare

Question 8

I'm supposed to prepare a summary of the company's financial data, but I can't make
heads or tails of the information from the accounting department. Could you help me
figure it out?

If you "can't make heads or tails of" something, it means you...

A can't access it
B can't simplify it
C can't understand it

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Question 9

He was determined to get rich at any cost, and he got involved in some illegal business
deals.

If you will do something "at any cost," it means...

A you would do ANYTHING to accomplish it

B you want to do it as quickly as possible
C you want to gain an advantage over your competition

Question 10

After attending the seminar, I feel like I was short-changed - they said it was an all-
day event, but actually it was only three one-hour long sessions - one each in the
morning, afternoon, and evening.

If you were "short-changed," it means that you...

A wasted your time on an unproductive activity

B misunderstood some essential information
C were cheated by receiving less than you expected

Question 11

He appeared on a reality TV show last year, and now he's trying to cash in on his fame
by writing a book.

To "cash in on" something means to...

A extend or increase it
B make money from it
C change to a new area

Question 12

My grandfather was just diagnosed with lung cancer. He's finally paying the price for
smoking a pack a day for four decades.

To "pay the price" means...

A to spend all your money on a bad habit

B to start to regret your actions in the past
C to suffer justified negative consequences

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Video Explanation
#1 - a dime a dozen = so common that it's worthless

A dime is a coin that's worth ten cents. This word is used in the
United States.

A dozen is a word that means 12 items. If you can buy 12 items for
10 cents, then the item isn't very valuable. So a dime a dozen
means that something is so common that it's worthless. This idiom
does not actually refer to the real cost of the item. Instead, it means
the item is so common that it has little to no value.

#2 - the most bang for your buck = the most value for your money

The word buck is a slang word for dollar, and bang is a word used to
describe an explosion. If you buy a bomb that gives you the most bang (the
biggest explosion) for your buck (the lowest price), then you've gotten the
most value for your money.

#3 - my two cents = my opinion

This idiom might come from the expression "a penny for your
thoughts." A penny is one cent, and this expression is used to ask
for someone's opinion. So if you give two cents, it means you give
your opinion.

#4 - in mint condition = perfect; without flaws

The mint is the place where money is made (printed or manufactured). A coin or bill
that comes directly from the mint is perfect, because it is new! So if any item is in mint
condition, it means it's perfect, without flaws.

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#5 - I'd put money on it = I'm completely certain

This idiom comes from the idea of a bet or wager - when you promise to pay (or receive)
some money depending on a certain outcome. For example, the U.S. and England soccer
teams are going to play, and you bet your friend $100 that England will win. If England
wins, then your friend pays you $100. If England loses, you pay your friend $100.

Obviously, you only want to make a bet when you're certain! So the expression “I'd put
money on it” means I'm completely certain.

#6 - give her a run for her money = to be as good as someone who is

known to be extremely good

This idiom comes from horse racing - the horses run and
people bet money on the result. This phrase is often used in
the context of competitions and sports. You can use it in the
past, present, or future.

Past:

Harriet won the competition, but Kayla gave her a run for her money.

In this case the idiom means that Kayla competed very well and almost won.

Present:

England is ahead 2-1, but the U.S. is certainly giving them a run for their money.

In this case, it means that the game is very close because the two teams are almost equal
in ability.

Future:

David is sure to give the current champion a run for his money in tomorrow's match.

In this case, it means that David has a good chance of winning, because he's on the same
level as the current champion.

#7 - it costs a pretty penny = it's expensive

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There are a number of other idioms and expressions used to say that something is
expensive. You can say, "it costs an arm and a leg" or "I paid top dollar" - meaning I
paid a lot of money.

One of the funniest expressions is "I paid through the nose" - that means you paid a lot
of money and it was painful. For example, "I paid through the nose to get my car
repaired overnight. $2000 just to fix a broken window – can you believe it?!"

#8 - can't make heads or tails of it = can't understand it

Every coin has two sides - heads (which often has the image of a person) and tails. If a
coin is so old that the details have worn off, then it's impossible to know which side is
heads and which side is tails. So the expression "I can't make heads or tails of it" means
"I can't understand it at all."

#9 - at any cost = you will do ANYTHING to accomplish it

If you really, really want to buy something, you will buy it "at any cost" - it doesn't
matter how high the price is. This idiom is often used with a negative connotation - for
someone who is desperate or extremely hungry for money, victory, or power - someone
who would even do illegal or unethical actions if necessary to accomplish their goal.

#10 - short-changed = you received less than you expected, so you feel
like you were cheated.

If you pay $10 for a $7 item, the $3 you receive back is called "change." If you pay $10
for a $7 item and you only receive $2 back, then you were short-changed.

As in the example of the "all-day seminar" that was only 3 sessions, the expression
short-changed isn't always money. It can refer to anything that does not meet
expectations or requirements.

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#11 - cash in on something = to make money from it

This idiom is often used for making money easily - like when companies try to cash in on
(profit from) current trends.

#12 - pay the price = suffer justified negative consequences

If you drink too much alcohol, you will pay the price with a headache the next morning.
If you eat lots of fast food and never exercise, you will pay the price with health
problems later. If you don't study, you will pay the price by feeling stressed when it's
time for the test.

You get the idea!

You've finished Lesson 3!

Take the quiz, try the writing / speaking exercises, and log in tomorrow for Lesson 4.

Practice Quiz
Question 1

The customers felt ____________ after the company sold a product that didn't
perform as advertised.

A cashed in on
B a dime a dozen
C short-changed

Question 2

Can you take a look at this project proposal? I'd like to get _____________ on it.

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 A the bang for your buck
B a run for your money
C your two cents

Question 3

The new iPad _____________ - but I saved up for a few months and managed to buy
one.

A costs a pretty penny

B pays the price
C puts your money on it

Question 4

I sent Gary an e-mail asking for clarification, because I ______________ his voice
mail message.

A put my two cents in

B couldn't make heads or tails of
C was short-changed on

Question 5

The coach is having 6-hour training sessions every day before the championship. He
wants to win ___________.

A at any cost
B in mint condition
C and put money on it

Question 6

Do you have any good book recommendations for me? These popular novels
_______________; I'd like to read something more interesting.

A are a dime a dozen

B cost a pretty penny
C can't make heads or tails

Question 7

I waited too long to apply for jobs, and now I'm ____________ - all the good
positions are already taken.

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 A cashing in on it
B paying the price
C giving them a run for their money

Question 8

Online ads _______________ than placing ads in newspapers and magazines - the
cost per customer acquired is 40% lower.

A give more bang for the buck

B cost a pretty penny
C are a dime a dozen

Question 9

Car dealerships are looking to ___________ the growing middle class by offering
purchasing plans with very affordable monthly payments.

A cash in on
B short-change
C put money on

Question 10

The president was re-elected, but it was close - the other candidate
_______________.

A paid the price

B gave him a run for his money
C put his two cents in

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Practice Quiz Answers
1) C

2) C

3) A

4) B

5) A

6) A

7) B

8) A

9) A

10) B

Speaking / Writing Exercises

1) What’s one thing, in your opinion, that is “a dime a dozen”?

2) What’s one product you own that gives a lot of bang for your buck?

3) Describe something you’ve bought (or would like to buy) that costs a pretty penny.

4) Have you ever been short-changed? What happened?

5) Tell about a time when you did something (or didn’t do something) and paid the price
afterwards.

If you want correction / feedback, you can either e-mail me your writing at
[email protected] or leave me a voice mail message:
www.speakpipe.com/espressoenglish

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Image Credits:
Horse racing: Softeis
Heads or Tails: Rdrogers74

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© Shayna Oliveira 2012