add her two cents

Definitions

• give an opinion
  To offer a personal viewpoint or perspective, often in a situation where it may not be necessary or welcome

• contribute
  To provide input or contribute to a discussion, usually with a small or insignificant amount of information

Examples of add her two cents

• During the team meeting, when the discussion was about a new marketing strategy, Sophia, a junior sales executive, added her two cents by suggesting a unique approach that had worked for her in one of her previous sales pitches.

  The phrase "add her two cents" is a figurative expression that means to make a small contribution or offer an opinion, often an unsolicited one. In this example, Sophia added her two cents by sharing her idea, which was appreciated by the team and was considered for further implementation.

• After listening to my friend's elaborate explanation on bond yields and interest rates, I couldn't stop myself from adding my two cents by asking a simple question that shed light on the topic and helped me understand it better.

  The phrase "add her two cents" can also be used in situations where an individual is asking a question, seeking clarification, or offering a different perspective. In this example, the speaker added his two cents by asking a question, which led to a deeper understanding of the topic.

• In the middle of a heated argument between my parents, my younger sister tried to add her two cents by sharing her opinion, which, to my surprise, was more balanced and practical than the arguments put forth by either of my parents.

  The phrase "add her two cents" can also be used in situations of disagreement or conflict, where someone is trying to contribute their perspective to resolve the conflict. In this example, the younger sister added her two cents by sharing her opinion, which was more rational and practical, helping to de-escalate the argument.

• In the last episode of the popular cooking show, when the celebrity chef was talking about the significance of the right salt amount in cooking, one of the contestants added her two cents by sharing her experience of almost spoiling a dish by adding too much salt.

  The phrase "add her two cents" can also be used in the context of sharing experiences, which can be helpful for others. In this example, the contestant added her two cents by sharing her experience, which helped the viewers avoid a common cooking mistake.

• During the team building activity, Sarah hesitated before sharing her opinions. When everyone had spoken, she added, "Here are my two cents."

  This idiom is used to indicate that someone is providing a minor contribution to a discussion or decision-making process. In this example, Sarah's use of the idiom suggests that her ideas may not be critical or significant, but she still wants to offer her perspective.

• At the family dinner, Aunt Betty couldn't resist commenting on the food. After finishing her meal, she added, "That was delicious. I'd say it's worth an extra two cents."

  This idiom is used to convey that someone's opinion adds value to the situation. In this example, Aunt Betty's use of the idiom suggests that she believes the food was particularly good and that her opinion is worth considering.

• In the meeting, Tom was silent throughout, but Jane noticed that he had a worried expression. When asked for his thoughts, Tom responded, "Sorry, I've been trying to keep my two cents in my pocket."

  This idiom is used to illustrate that someone wants to avoid contributing to a discussion or decision-making process. In this example, Tom's use of the idiom indicates that he is hesitant to share his opinions, possibly because he is unsure of their value or because he wants to avoid creating conflict.

• During the presentation, the speaker paused to ask if anyone had any questions. Emily raised her hand and said, "I have two cents, but I don't want to interrupt."

  This idiom is used to signal that someone is willing to offer a minor correction or suggestion, but doesn't want to interrupt the flow of the conversation. In this example, Emily's use of the idiom highlights her discretion and consideration for others.

Conclusion

The idiom "add her two cents" is used to express someone giving their opinion or contributing to a discussion. It can be used to caution against offering unnecessary input or to acknowledge someone's small contribution to a conversation.

Origin of "add her two cents"

The origin of the idiom "add her two cents" is traced back to the United States in the late 18th century when the first U.S. coins were minted. At that time, the phrase "to add one's two cents" was used to refer to someone giving their opinion, with the idea that their viewpoint was worth very little, like the small denomination of the coin. Over time, the phrase has evolved to "add her two cents," becoming a common way to describe offering one's opinion or input, often in a situation where it may not be necessary. The idiom has since become widely used in English-speaking countries to describe giving personal viewpoints or contributing to discussions.