the penny drops
Meaning: Someone finally understands something.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “I explained the joke twice before the penny dropped.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: From coin-operated machines, which only worked once the penny fell through. The phrase is British, from the mid-20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- Romanian: A-i pica fisa — literally: For the token to drop
More idioms — Daily Life
- change one's tune — To change one's opinion or behavior, usually suddenly.
- call someone every name under the sun — To insult someone furiously with every abusive word one can think of.
- empty vessels make the most noise — The people with the least knowledge often talk the most.
- live beyond one's means — To spend more money than one earns.
- use a sledgehammer to crack a nut — To use far more force than a small problem needs.
- come down hard on someone — To punish or criticize someone severely.
More English idioms
- still waters run deep — Quiet people often have deep thoughts or strong feelings.
- you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours — If you help me, I will help you.
- thin-skinned — Easily offended or hurt by criticism.
- right-hand man — Someone's most trusted and useful helper.
- a monkey's wedding — A sunshower, when rain falls while the sun shines.
- off one's trolley — Crazy or foolish.
From our proverbs
- Good wares make quick markets. — Quality products sell themselves without requiring aggressive persuasion or extended nego…
- Wilful waste makes woeful want. — Deliberate squandering of resources today inevitably leads to painful scarcity tomorrow.
- Good watch prevents misfortune. — Vigilant attention to detail and circumstances stops problems before they develop into se…