General
drop a dime
What does drop a dime mean?
To tip off the authorities or tell on someone. Historically evokes dropping a dime in a payphone to call the cops.
"Somebody dropped a dime and the whole thing fell apart."
Origin
American/NYC slang from the payphone era; a 'dime' being the cost of a call to report someone.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'drop a dime' mean?
It means to snitch or inform on someone — to tip off the authorities or tell on someone.
Where does 'drop a dime' come from?
It's from the payphone era, when a dime was the cost of a call, evoking dropping a coin to phone in a report on someone.
How do you use 'drop a dime'?
Use it for informing on someone, like 'Somebody dropped a dime and the whole thing fell apart.'
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