dime
dime — noun
- dimesingular
- dimesplural
1. a small silver-coloured American coin equal in value to ten cents, or one-tenth
a small silver-coloured American coin equal in value to ten cents, or one-tenth of a US dollar; the same coin also circulates in Canada.
Eri dropped a dime into the parking meter outside the bakery.
drop a dime into [container]
The newspaper used to cost a dime when Benjamin was a child in Boston.
cost a dime — historical price
Dario kept a small jar of dimes on his desk for the coffee machine.
The vending machine on the corner only accepts quarters and dimes.
Felipe found a shiny dime under the cushion of his grandmother's sofa.
- ten-cent piece
more descriptive phrasing used in formal or explanatory contexts
- ten cents
names the value rather than the physical coin
文法句型
a dime
the price of a dime
用法筆記
Frequently appears alongside other coin names (penny, nickel, quarter) when prices or change are discussed. The plural 'dimes' is used for amounts beyond one.
常見錯誤
2. in American football, a defensive formation in which the team places six defensi
in American football, a defensive formation in which the team places six defensive backs on the field, usually to stop long passing plays.
Coach Walid called the dime to shut down the long passes in the fourth quarter.
call the dime — coaching collocation
The Broncos ran a dime on third-and-long and forced the quarterback to scramble.
run a dime on third-and-long
When the offense lined up four receivers, the defense switched to a dime package.
Noa explained that the dime brings in an extra defensive back over the nickel.
- dime package
fuller name; same meaning, often heard in commentary
- six-DB set
technical coaching shorthand for the same formation
- nickel
the five-defensive-back formation, one step lighter on coverage
文法句型
the dime
play dime
in dime
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this football sense always appears in defensive-formation contexts and almost never takes an article-plus-numeric reading. Often paired with 'nickel' (five defensive backs) for contrast.
常見錯誤
3. in basketball slang, a brilliantly accurate pass that puts a teammate in an idea
in basketball slang, a brilliantly accurate pass that puts a teammate in an ideal spot to score easily.
Esme dropped a dime to her teammate under the basket for an easy lay-up.
drop a dime to [player] — set-up pass
Kofi threw a no-look dime across the lane and the crowd erupted.
throw a no-look dime
Ritu's behind-the-back dime in the final seconds tied the game for her school.
The point guard finished the night with twelve dimes and only one turnover.
- turnover
the opposite outcome — losing the ball instead of setting up a teammate
文法句型
drop a dime
throw a dime
用法筆記
Subject is almost always a passer (point guard, playmaker). Frequently collocates with 'drop' or 'throw'. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is countable as a stat ('twelve dimes' = twelve assists) but never refers to a coin.