the penny drops

the penny drops

One finally understands, realizes, or recognizes something. Typically used in the past tense. When Liam drew the diagram, the penny dropped, and everything became clear to me.
See also: drop, penny
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the penny drops

mainly BRITISH
COMMON If the penny drops, someone finally understands or realizes something. In the end the penny dropped. That was why she sent us back. It's only recently the penny's begun to drop that, actually, the new job is probably better than the other one. Note: This expression probably refers to slot machines (= machines for playing games), which only operate when you put in a coin.
See also: drop, penny
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

the penny drops

someone finally realizes or understands something. informal, chiefly British
The image here is of the operation of a coin-operated slot machine.
See also: drop, penny
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

the ˌpenny ˈdrops

(informal, especially British English) suddenly understand the meaning or significance of something: She never understands jokes. It usually takes about half an hour for the penny to drop. There was a long silence on the stage, and then the penny finally dropped — it was my turn to speak.
This is a comparison with the way a machine starts after a coin is inserted.
See also: drop, penny
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • come to mention it
  • now (that) you mention it
  • too (something) by half
  • too clever by half
  • too clever, quick, etc. by half
  • too something by half
  • in for a penny
  • in for a penny, in for a pound
  • a bad penny
  • bad penny
References in periodicals archive
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Before long, the penny drops and Mick and Tina go in search of Aunt Babe, but it turns out she's moved to Ramsgate.
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As the penny drops that she could be pregnant she braces herself to do not one but three tests just to be sure.
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Finally the penny drops and this minister agrees with us.
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The penny drops during Gennie and Jamie's leaving party, after she hugs Bob for a little too long.
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As a Liverpool fan who made the effort to go to the game I saw the game against Leeds as just prolonging the agony before the penny drops and Gerard Houllier is shown the door.
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At first, he blames Roxy for leaving the keys in the door, but then the penny drops, and Ronnie knows she's been busted.
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When the penny drops as to Ross's guilt, she's understandably not so keen to stick around Emmerdale and play mummy to her little darlings.
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