HomeServicesBlogDictionariesContactSpanish Course
Home › Dictionary › English › the penny drops
← Back to search

Meaning of the penny drops | Babel Free

Phrase CEFR C1

Definitions

Understanding is reached; one comprehends.

UK, informal

Equivalents

Deutsch der Groschen ist gefallen
Español cayó el veinte cayó en la cuenta cayó la ficha
Français ça a fait tilt la pièce est tombée le franc est tombé
Magyar leesik a tantusz
Nederlands het kwartje is gevallen zijn frank is gevallen
Polski dotarło
Português caiu a ficha
Svenska polletten faller ner polletten trillar ner polletten trillar ner

Examples

“The penny dropped as Fred realised he had been conned.”
“Suddenly various pennies began to drop; now I understood obscure remarks that had been made in my presence by the Ryans, or by the nuns at school, or by Old Brigid or Tommy's foster-mother.”
“AMY: In the time I've known you, when have⟳ you shown the slightest interest⟳ in a girl? MELS: Penny in the air! AMY: I've known you for, what, 10 years? I've seen you practically every day. Name⟳ one girl you've paid the slightest bit of attention to? (RORY is flustered, runs from the room.) AMY: Oh my God! Rory! (AMY runs after RORY.) MELS: And the penny drops!”

CEFR level

C1
Advanced
This word is part of the CEFR C1 vocabulary — advanced level.
See all C1 English words →

See also

the pitcher goes so often to the well that it is broken at last the pleasure is all mine the plot thickens the plural of anecdote is not data the poor we will always have with us the proof of the pudding is in the eating

Learn this word in context

See the penny drops used in real conversations inside our free language course.

Start Free Course

Know this word better than we do? Language is a living thing — help us keep it growing. Collaborate with Babel Free