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penny for your thoughts
01
used as a question when one wants to know what another person has in mind at the moment
Idiom
Informal
What is the origin of the idiom "a penny for your thoughts" and when to use it?
The idiom "a penny for your thoughts" has its origins in medieval England and was first recorded in the 16th century. At that time, a "penny" was a small and common unit of currency. The phrase was used as a polite way to ask someone what they were thinking or to inquire about their thoughts or feelings. It is used to reflect a simple offer to pay a small sum for the privilege of knowing another person's thoughts, often used as a conversational ice-breaker.
Examples
You seem lost in thought; care to share? A penny for your thoughts.
