Meanings
- USSynonym of in for a penny, in for a pound.
In for a dime, in for a dollar, he thought crazily, and said what he had to say in a voice he forced to stay level and calm.
1983, Allen Drury, Decision, page 3563 more examples
In for a dime, in for a dollar. I whispered to Gerry, “Count me in”. Heroin was unromantic, neither sacred nor satanic; it was simply inevitable.
1998, Ellen Miller, Like Being Killed, page 47This obligation flows from the principle recognized in virtually all jurisdictions that when the policyholder is required to defend any one claim, all elements of the case must be defended (i.e., “in for a dime, in for a dollar”).
1999, David A. Gauntlett, Insurance Coverage for Intellectual Property Assets, page CCXCII had bought some of Cemp’s MGM stock for myself. “Listen”, I told Edgar, “in for a dime, in for a dollar”. There was no point in selling at $8. If we were going to lose we might as well lose the whole thing.
2003, Leo Kolber, Leo: a life, page 183Synonyms: in for a penny, in for a pound, in for a penny, in for a pound, in for an inch, in for a mile
Synonyms & antonyms
proverbSynonym of in for a penny, in for a pound.
Origin
Alteration of “in for a penny, in for a pound”, adapted to the denominations of the American currency (£ & d → $ & ¢). Nevertheless, “in for a penny, in for a pound” is used in the United States as well.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
in for a dime, in for a dollar. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20for%20a%20dime%2C%20in%20for%20a%20dollar
“in for a dime, in for a dollar.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20for%20a%20dime%2C%20in%20for%20a%20dollar. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “in for a dime, in for a dollar,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/in%20for%20a%20dime%2C%20in%20for%20a%20dollar.
Source: in for a dime, in for a dollar on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.