Dictionary
1nickel–and–dime
adjective nick·el–and–dime \ˌni-kəl-ən-ˈdīm\
: involving, making, or spending a small amount of money
: not very important
Full Definition of NICKEL-AND-DIME
1
: involving or offering only a small amount of money
2
See nickel–and–dime defined for English-language learners
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First Known Use of NICKEL-AND-DIME
1941
2nickel–and–dime
verb
: to make (someone) pay many small amounts of money over a long period of time
nick·eled–and–dimed \ˌni-kəld-ən-ˈdīmd\ or nick·el–and–dimed \-ən-ˈdīmd\ nick·el·ing–and–dim·ing \-ˈdī-miŋ\ or nickel–and–diming
Full Definition of NICKEL-AND-DIME
transitive verb
1
: to impair, weaken, or defeat piecemeal (as through a series of small incursions or excessive attention to minor details)
2
: to treat (as a person or situation) by paying excessive attention to small amounts of money often with a detrimental effect
See nickel–and–dime defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of NICKEL-AND-DIME
1961
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