on a dime

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

He also has to be quick, flexible, and able to change direction on a dime while keeping his balance.

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There would be some friction involved, simply because it’s hard to shift suppliers on a dime without slowing down production.

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And despite the eight-game turnaround turning into a two-game skid to end the weekend against the Marlins, Young knows the Angels could turn it back around on a dime.

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Anna Davidson and Jon Lee Keenan, as Girl and Boy, turn on a dime.

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The stock market, which had been in a historic swoon since Trump announced the “reciprocal” tariffs on April 2, turned on a dime, registering one of its sharpest one-day gains in history.

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Related Words

• directly 
• immediately 
• instantaneously www.thesaurus.com
• right away