turn on a dime
Related to turn on a dime: stop on a dime
turn on a dime
1. To turn very quickly and with great agility. The steering is so good on this car that you can turn on a dime, even at high speeds. The running back turned on a dime and broke the tackle.
2. By extension, to change focus, activity, opinion, or behavior very suddenly or abruptly. He's usually a nice guy, but his temper can turn on a dime sometimes. Politicians have no loyalty to their causes—they'll turn on a dime if it means they'll get more votes.
See also: dime, on, turn
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
turn on a dime
Fig.[for a vehicle] to turn in a very tight turn. This car can turn on a dime. I need a vehicle that can turn on a dime.
See also: dime, on, turn
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
turn on a dime
AMERICANIf something or someone turns on a dime, they suddenly change completely or do something completely different from what they were doing before. Note: A dime is an American coin worth ten cents. Employers need to be flexible and to turn on a dime in order to stay competitive. Note: If something happens on a dime, it happens suddenly, in complete contrast to what was happening before. Outdoors I heard the rain stop on a dime. Note: The idea is of being able to change direction quickly and easily in a very small space, as if your foot were on a coin.
See also: dime, on, turn
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
turn on a dime
in. to turn sharply; to turn in a small radius. A car that will turn on a dime at high speed without turning turtle is what I want.
See also: dime, on, turn
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
- turn (one's) back to (someone or something)
- turn it up
- turn up
- the turn
- turn
- up to bat
- at bat
- turn out
- turn someone out
- turn in