THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
A penny for your thoughts
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
A friendly way to ask someone what they are thinking about.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- You have been quiet since lunch—a penny for your thoughts?
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
0 of 1 checked correctly
Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
You have been quiet since lunch—________?
Show the answer
A penny for your thoughts — A friendly way to ask someone what they are thinking about.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “A penny for your thoughts” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
A friendly way to ask someone what they are thinking about.
Compare: You have been quiet since lunch—a penny for your thoughts?
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.
This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.
GO DEEPER
More ways to understand and use it
Jump to a section
When to use it
Say this to someone who has become quiet or seems deep in thought. It has a friendly, informal tone.
More examples in context
- A penny for your thoughts, Maya. Are you thinking about the interview?
- When Leo stared out of the window, his sister said, “A penny for your thoughts?”
Usage note
This is a request to share thoughts, not a real offer of money. You can also say “Penny for your thoughts?” without a.
A short conversation
A: A penny for your thoughts?
B: I am trying to decide which course to choose.
A: Would talking through the options help?
One more practice question
When would you naturally say “A penny for your thoughts?”
A. A friend is quietly thinking and you want to know what is on their mind.
B. You want a shop assistant to give you your change.
Check your answer
A. The phrase invites someone to tell you what they are thinking.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.