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Penny for Your Thoughts

What Does "Penny for Your Thoughts" Mean?

homeidiomsPenny for Your Thoughts
"Penny for your thoughts" is an English idiom. It is a friendly or polite way of asking someone what they are thinking or feeling, often when they appear lost in thought.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "penny for your thoughts" used in a sentence:
  • You seem quiet today. A penny for your thoughts?
  • He looked out the window, lost in thought, so she asked, 'Penny for your thoughts?'
  • She noticed her friend's distant expression and said, 'Tell me, a penny for your thoughts.'
meaning for penny for your thoughts

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Penny for Your Thoughts" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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