on a dime

Idioms  

1. 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

See Examples For:

on a dime

They also told me he could turn on a dime and become reclusive or even disdainful of dinner guests.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026

The stock market’s day-to-day narrative can change on a dime, and this week’s theme of a pullback in precious metals and bitcoin continued early on Thursday.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 5, 2026

And though this is not an entirely unexpected plot twist, the film has plenty more up its sleeve, including the opportunity for Seyfried to, once again, turn on a dime.

From Salon ● Jan. 31, 2026

For starters, auto makers can’t shift production or plans on a dime.

From Barron's ● Dec. 4, 2025

Stop on a dime and get into something else.

From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• directly
• immediately
• instantaneously
• right away

---