World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesTurn on a dime
/tɝːn ɒn ə daɪm/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
To maneuver or change direction extremely quickly and within a very small space.
"The sports car's advanced steering allowed it to turn on a dime and avoid the obstacle." - 2
To alter a course of action, policy, or mood with extreme suddenness.
"Markets can turn on a dime based on unexpected economic announcements."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Originating in the United States in the mid-20th century, this idiom refers to the small physical size of the United States dime coin, which is approximately 17.9 millimeters in diameter. It originally described the maneuverability of vehicles capable of executing an extremely tight 180-degree turn within the tiny physical footprint of the coin, later extending metaphorically to quick shifts in thought, policy, or action.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Turn on a dime"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Turn on a dime" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
virer sur place
Transliteration: vi-re syʁ plas
"Cette voiture peut virer sur place sans difficulté."
auf dem Absatz wenden
Transliteration: aʊ̯f deːm ˈap.zat͡s ˈvɛn.dn̩
"Der Wagen kann auf dem Absatz wenden."
girare in un fazzoletto
Transliteration: dʒiˈraːre in un fattsoˈletto
"La nuova moto riesce a girare in un fazzoletto."
girar en redondo
Transliteration: xiˈɾaɾ en reˈðondo
"El coche puede girar en redondo con facilidad."
virar num ápice
Transliteration: viˈɾaɾ num ˈa.pi.si
"O veículo consegue virar num ápice."
तुरंत दिशा बदलना
Transliteration: turant disha badalna
Script: हिंदी देवनागरी
"वह गाड़ी पलक झपकते ही अपनी दिशा बदल सकती है।"
急转弯
Transliteration: jí zhuǎn wān
Script: 中文汉字
"这辆赛车能够瞬间急转弯。"
순식간에 방향을 바꾸다
Transliteration: sunsikgan-e banghyang-eul bakkuda
Script: 한국어 한글
"그 차는 순식간에 방향을 바꿀 수 있다."
急旋回する
Transliteration: kyūsenkai suru
Script: 日本語
"その車はその場で急旋回することができる。"
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