get off the dime

1. Take action, especially following a time of indecision or delay. For example, It's time this administration got off the dime and came up with a viable budget. This expression originated in the 1920s in dance-halls as an imperative for dancers to get moving. By 1926 it had been extended to other activities.

Example Sentences

I'd had a writing project about Uncle Allan in mind for – oh – a couple decades or so, and figured if I could just sit in front of his tombstone, it might help me get off the dime.

Read more on Salon

So my generation has got an obligation, in my view, to the next two or three or four or seven to get off the dime here.

Read more on Salon

“Do you know why politicians will finally get off the dime?”

Read more on Washington Post

“I’m hoping we can get off the dime later today or in the morning because time is ticking away.”

Read more on Washington Times

“I’m hoping we can get off the dime,” he added, also on Fox, “because time is ticking away.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times