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Penny in the Fusebox

What Does "Penny in the Fusebox" Mean?

homeidiomsPenny in the Fusebox
"Penny in the fusebox" is an English idiom. It means "a humorous or whimsical explanation for an unexpected electrical problem or outage, suggesting that a penny has caused the issue by being inserted into a fusebox."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "penny in the fusebox" used in a sentence:
  • The lights went out, and he jokingly said, 'Must be a penny in the fusebox again.'
  • Before calling an electrician, he checked for a 'penny in the fusebox' as a playful attempt to solve the problem.
  • The old building had a history of electrical quirks, and residents often blamed 'pennies in the fusebox.'
meaning for penny in the fusebox

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 in the Fusebox" 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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