in for a dime, in for a dollar

English

Etymology

Alteration of “in for a penny, in for a pound”, adapted to the denominations of the American currency (£ & d → $ & ¢). Nevertheless, “in for a penny, in for a pound” is used in the United States as well.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɪn fɔɹ ə ˈdaɪm ɪn fɔɹ ə ˈdɒ.lɚ/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

Proverb

in for a dime, in for a dollar

1. (US) Americanized form of in for a penny, in for a pound.
   • 1983, Allen Drury, Decision, page 356:

     In for a dime, in for a dollar, he thought crazily, and said what he had to say in a voice he forced to stay level and calm.

   • 1998, Ellen Miller, Like Being Killed, page 47:

     In for a dime, in for a dollar. I whispered to Gerry, “Count me in”. Heroin was unromantic, neither sacred nor satanic; it was simply inevitable.

   • 1999, David A. Gauntlett, Insurance Coverage for Intellectual Property Assets, page CCXCI:

     This obligation flows from the principle recognized in virtually all jurisdictions that when the policyholder is required to defend any one claim, all elements of the case must be defended (i.e., “in for a dime, in for a dollar”).

   • 2003, Leo Kolber, Leo: a life, page 183:

     I had bought some of Cemp’s MGM stock for myself. “Listen”, I told Edgar, “in for a dime, in for a dollar”. There was no point in selling at $8. If we were going to lose we might as well lose the whole thing.

Synonyms

• in for a penny, in for a pound
• in for an inch, in for a mile

See also

• one may as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb