the penny drops

phrase

British, informal
—used to say that someone finally understands something after not understanding it for a time
I had to explain it to him three times, but finally the penny dropped.

Examples of the penny drops in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Namely, as the penny drops early on, Val is representing Nessa’s unborn, and now deceased, baby. — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for the penny drops

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the pen
the penny drops
the Pentagon
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Cite this Entry

“The penny drops.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20penny%20drops. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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