The Village Idiom

drop a dime

"Drop a dime" is an idiom that means to make a phone call to inform the authorities about someone's illegal activity or to provide secret information. The phrase is derived from the cost of a payphone call, which used to be ten cents or a dime.

Slang · Filed under D

In a sentence

  • I saw a crime happening on the street and decided to drop a dime, calling the police to report it.
  • She didn't want to get involved, but her conscience told her to drop a dime and tell the truth about what she saw.
  • The undercover agent had to drop a dime on his criminal associates in order to bring them to justice.

Where it comes from and how it is used

The idiom "drop a dime" can be related to other idioms like "drop a hint", "drop someone a line", and "nickel and dime".

The idiom "drop a hint" means to indirectly suggest or imply something to someone, often with the intention of giving them a clue or prompting them to take a specific action. Just as "drop a dime" involves an anonymous phone call to provide information, "drop a hint" involves subtly providing information to someone. However, while "drop a dime" suggests a sense of urgency and importance, "drop a hint" is more about gently guiding someone or offering subtle suggestions.

The idiom "drop someone a line" means to send a short, informal message to someone, often through a written medium like a letter or email. It is similar to "drop a dime" in the sense that both involve communication, but "drop someone a line" is more about reaching out to someone in a friendly or casual manner. While "drop a dime" implies a secretive or anonymous communication, "drop someone a line" is about making a connection or maintaining a relationship.

The idiom "nickel and dime" refers to a process of accumulating small amounts of money over time, often through small and insignificant transactions. It can also be used to describe a situation where someone is being excessively meticulous or overly concerned with minor details. While "drop a dime" involves a single act of providing information or betraying someone, "nickel and dime" is about the continuous and gradual accumulation of small amounts, often in a negative or burdensome manner.

These related idioms provide different perspectives and contexts for understanding "drop a dime". "Drop a hint" suggests a gentler approach to communication, "drop someone a line" emphasizes friendly and informal connections, and "nickel and dime" highlights the gradual accumulation of small amounts or the undue focus on minor details.

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