How Do You Spell DROP A DIME?

Pronunciation: [dɹˈɒp ɐ dˈa͡ɪm] (IPA)

The phrase "drop a dime" means to make a phone call or to provide information to someone in authority. It originated in the United States, specifically among criminals who used public pay phones to share information with law enforcement. The spelling of the word "dime" is pronounced as /daɪm/, using the International Phonetic Alphabet. The word "drop" is pronounced as /drɑp/. Remember, the phrase "drop a dime" has little to do with the actual cost of making a phone call and is simply a part of American slang.

DROP A DIME Meaning and Definition

1. "Drop a dime" is an idiomatic expression that originated in the United States during the early 20th century. This phrase refers to the act of providing information or tipping off law enforcement authorities about criminal or illicit activities. It is commonly used to describe the act of secretly informing on someone.

   The term “drop” in this context means to share or divulge information, while “dime” refers to a ten-cent coin, which metaphorically denotes the payment of a small sum of money to authorities as a bribe or a reward for providing information.

   The expression gained popularity during the prohibition era, when citizens were encouraged to report illegal alcohol production or distribution to the authorities. It continued to be employed in various criminal contexts thereafter.

   Today, “drop a dime” can also imply making a phone call to relay information to authorities or reporting a crime anonymously. It suggests an act of aiding law enforcement agencies by providing helpful and possibly incriminating information about illegal activities.

   Overall, "drop a dime" signifies a covert act of disclosing information to authorities or relevant parties, often with the intention of assisting in a criminal investigation or ensuring public safety.

Common Misspellings for DROP A DIME

• srop a dime
• xrop a dime
• crop a dime
• frop a dime
• rrop a dime
• erop a dime
• deop a dime
• ddop a dime
• dfop a dime
• dtop a dime
• d5op a dime
• d4op a dime
• drip a dime
• drkp a dime
• drlp a dime
• drpp a dime
• dr0p a dime
• dr9p a dime
• droo a dime
• drol a dime

Idioms with the word DROP A DIME

• drop a dime To "drop a dime" means to inform on someone to the police or authorities, usually for a criminal activity. It refers to the act of calling someone with crucial information to help solve a crime, often done anonymously.