plural US pennies /ˈpɛniz/ or British pence /ˈpɛns/ plural US pennies /ˈpɛniz/ or British pence /ˈpɛns/ Learner's definition of PENNY
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1
a plural pennies : a coin or a unit of money equal to ¹/₁₀₀ of a dollar : cent分(相当于1/100元) b plural pence : a coin or a unit of money equal to ¹/₁₀₀ of a British pound便士(相当于1/100英镑) — abbreviation p
c plural pence : a British coin used before 1971 that was equal to ¹/₁₂ of a shilling便士(英国1971年以前使用的货币单位,相当于1/12先令) — abbreviation p
2
a : a small amount of money一小笔钱 -
We got the car for just pennies. [=it didn't cost very much]我们买这辆车只花了一小笔钱。
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When you're trying to save money, every penny helps/counts. [=even a small amount of money is important]你要是想存钱,就得精打细算。
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Our vacation was expensive, but it was worth every penny. [=it was worth the entire amount that we paid for it]我们度假的费用很高,但物有所值。
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(chiefly Brit) He was trying to earn/turn an honest penny. [=earn money for honest hard work]他曾经尽力老老实实地赚钱。
b : the least amount of money最少的钱
(a) penny for your thoughts
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used to ask what someone is thinking about用于问别人正在想什么
a penny saved
◊ The saying a penny saved (is a penny earned) means that it is important to save your money.省一分钱等于挣一分钱。
a pretty penny
: a large amount of money一大笔钱
in for a penny, in for a pound
British
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used to say that you should finish what you have started to do even though it may be difficult or expensive一不做,二不休;一旦开始就应干到底 -
“If you want to quit, I'll understand.” “No, I'm sure we can do this. In for a penny, in for a pound.”“你如果想退出,我能理解。”“不,我保证我们能行。一定要有始有终。”
not a penny less/more
: no less or no more than a certain amount of money分文不少/不多 -
I'll do the job for 100 dollars and not a penny less. [=I won't do the job unless I am paid at least 100 dollars]要我干这份工作,得付我100美元,一分钱也不能少。
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I'll pay you 100 dollars and not a penny more. [=I'll pay you 100 dollars, but I won't pay you any more than that]我付你100美元,一分钱也不能再多。
the penny drops
British, informal
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used to say that someone finally understands something after not understanding it for a time恍然大悟;终于明白