drop dimes

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseslanginformal

   To betray someone by revealing their secrets or private information to others, often to the authorities.

   Grammar: Used as an intransitive phrase, often followed by 'on someone': He dropped dimes on his friends.

   Patterns

   • drop dimes on someone

   He was afraid that his partner would drop dimes on him to get a lighter sentence.

   She dropped dimes on her colleagues to save her own job.

   In the movie, the gang member drops dimes on his own crew.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseslangsport

   In basketball, to make a skillful pass that leads to a score, often an assist.

   Grammar: Used as an intransitive phrase, often in sports commentary: He dropped dimes all night.

   Patterns

   • drop dimes

   The point guard dropped dimes all game, finishing with 15 assists.

   Fans love it when a player drops dimes instead of shooting.

   He dropped dimes to his teammate for an easy dunk.

Common combinations

drop dimes on someone

He dropped dimes on his boss to avoid going to jail.

drop a dime

She dropped a dime on her ex-boyfriend after the robbery.

drop dimes all game

The rookie dropped dimes all game and impressed the coaches.

drop dimes to someone

He dropped dimes to his teammate for the winning basket.

Synonyms and how they differ

snitch

This is a more common verb meaning to inform on someone; 'drop dimes' is slang and often used in specific contexts like crime or basketball.

betray

This is a general word for being disloyal; 'drop dimes' specifically means revealing secrets to authorities or others.

assist

In basketball, an assist is the statistical credit for a pass that leads to a score; 'drop dimes' is the slang action of making such a pass.

Commonly confused: drop dimes or dime?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “drop dimes”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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