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In for a Penny, in for a Pound

What Does "In for a Penny, in for a Pound" Mean?

homeidiomsIn for a Penny, in for a Pound
"In for a penny, in for a pound" is an English idiom. It means "if you commit to something, you might as well go all the way."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "in for a penny, in for a pound" used in a sentence:
  • We've already begun the project, so in for a penny, in for a pound.
  • After investing so much, he thought, in for a penny, in for a pound.
  • I've started learning the language, in for a penny, in for a pound.
meaning for in for a penny, in for a pound

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "In for a Penny, in for a Pound" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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