A Penny for Your Thoughts
“A penny for your thoughts” is an idiom used when you want to know what another person is thinking, often because they have been quiet for a while. This page keeps the modern meaning separate from unsupported origin stories.
Say “a penny for your thoughts” when you want to invite someone to share what they are thinking. It is figurative, not a literal offer of money.
Key details
Further guidance
History Boundary
This record intentionally does not claim an exact origin or first use; This guide publishes the dictionary-supported modern meaning only.
Meaning
The expression is used to invite a quiet or thoughtful person to say what is on their mind.
Usage Boundary
It is an invitation to share thoughts, not a literal offer or payment. Tone can be friendly, curious, or lightly teasing depending on context.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- (A) penny for your thoughts — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Current idiom form and meaning