Rate this phrase:5.0 / 1 vote

penny for your thoughts

A way of asking what another person is thinking; a way of getting to know the mindset of others

Etymology:

  • The expression originated in the 16th century, when people began using this expression, the worth and value of penny was considerable and was more than it is today. So if you gave a penny to a person lost in thoughts or daydreaming, it was seemed as you would be offering him or her lot to get to know or inquire what other person is thinking or what actually is going on his or her mind, which simply means what are you thinking about?
321 Views
“

Noticing Jim in a serious mood, all day in the class, Tom said, "A penny for your thoughts."

Collection   Edit    

Submitted on February 25, 2019

Modified by TriplePurple on December 03, 2023

Additional definitions for 'penny for your thoughts':

penny for your thoughtsUsed to inquire into the thoughts and feelings of another, especially when the person appears pensive or conflicted.
See them all »

Translation

Find a translation for the penny for your thoughts phrase in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to penny for your thoughts

plant your feet firmly on the ground!on your toeson your mark, get set, goOff Your Rockerput that in your pipe and smoke it!not your father'spenny weddingpenny pincherpenny wise and pound foolishnot on your nellypenny in the fuseboxNot Your Cup of Teapretty pennyPull the Wool over Your Eyes

How to pronounce this phrase?

Discuss this penny for your thoughts phrase with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this penny for your thoughts definition to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "penny for your thoughts." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Nov. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/penny-for-your-thoughts_44931>.

    Powered by CITE.ME Cite.Me

    We need you!

    Help us build the largest human-edited phrases collection on the web!

    Quiz

    Are you a phrases master?

    »
    Go big or go ___________.
    A home
    B out
    C again
    D abroad

    Browse Phrases.com

    #ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ