Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

the penny drops

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.88 in modern English

Syllables: the pen-ny -drops
IPA

24

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

3

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

phrase

Understanding is reached; one comprehends.

British usage; Informal

Example Sentences

"The penny dropped as Fred realised he had been conned."
"Suddenly various pennies began to drop; now I understood obscure remarks that had been made in my presence by the Ryans, or by the nuns at school, or by Old Brigid or Tommy's foster-mother."
"AMY: In the time I've known you, when have you shown the slightest interest in a girl? MELS: Penny in the air! AMY: I've known you for, what, 10 years? I've seen you practically every day. Name one girl you've paid the slightest bit of attention to? (RORY is flustered, runs from the room.) AMY: Oh my God! Rory! (AMY runs after RORY.) MELS: And the penny drops!"

Usage

British usage
Informal

Questions

What does the penny drops mean?: Understanding is reached; one comprehends.

How to pronounce the penny drops

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “the penny drops”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “the penny drops”.
Repeat and practice — Say “the penny drops” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.