PhrasesHub

Nice as ninepence

    Definitions

      • to describe someone who is very pleasant and well-behaved
        to compliment someone’s good behavior or demeanor

      • to describe something that is neat, tidy, or well-organized
        to comment on the cleanliness or orderliness of a place or thing

    Examples of Nice as ninepence

    • The teacher praised Jane's essay, saying it was "nice as ninepence".

      In this example, "nice as ninepence" is being used as an idiom to mean "very good" or "excellent". Ninepence was a relatively small amount of money in the past (equivalent to around 6p today), and something that was described as "nice as ninepence" would have been considered of high value and quality for its price. In this sentence, the idiom is being used to express the teacher's high opinion of Jane's essay.

    • The homemade lemonade was "nice as ninepence", and it seemed to quench my thirst instantly.

      Here, "nice as ninepence" is being used to describe the pleasant taste and effectiveness of the homemade lemonade. As before, the idiom is being used to indicate that the lemonade was anything but ordinary, and that it provided a satisfying experience.

    • After a long day, my feet were aching, but the comfortable shoes I bought were "nice as ninepence".

      In this example, "nice as ninepence" is being used to describe the pleasantly surprising comfort and value for money of the new shoes. When paying for something, it can be very pleasing to find that it exceeds your expectations, and this is what the idiom is highlighting in this sentence.

    • The new phone is working "nice as ninepence", despite my fear that I'd dropped it earlier.

      This final example uses "nice as ninepence" to express the pleasantly surprising reliability and positive functioning of the telephone, despite the previous instance of damage or potential malfunction. In this capacity, the idiom is being used to describe something that has helped to alleviate concerns and provide a sense of relief.

    • The cake my grandmother baked for my birthday was nice as ninepence.

      This idiom is used to describe something that is very cheap, but still of high quality or value. In this case, the cake was so delicious and well-made that it seemed like a bargain, just like a ninepence coin was undervalued due to its small size.

    • The customer service representative was nice as ninepence.

      This idiom is used to describe a person who is exceptionally friendly, helpful, and kind, despite not costing much money. In this case, the customer service representative went above and beyond to assist the customer, even though they were not being paid exorbitant fees for their services.

    • The hotel room was nice as ninepence.

      This idiom is used to describe a place that exceeds expectations, especially in terms of cleanliness, comfort, and amenities. In this case, the hotel room was incredibly luxurious, but surprisingly affordable, much like how a ninepence coin was a small price to pay for such a delightful stay.

    • The vintage car that my grandfather restored was nice as ninepence.

      This idiom is used to describe an item that is of exceptional craftsmanship and value, despite its age and original cost. In this case, the vintage car was expertly restored and looked like new, but my grandfather was not charging an exorbitant price for it, just like how a ninepence coin was undervalued due to its outdated design.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "nice as ninepence" is used to describe someone who is very pleasant and well-behaved, or to describe something that is neat, tidy, or well-organized. It is often used as a compliment to praise someone's good behavior or to comment on the cleanliness or orderliness of a place or thing.

    Origin of "Nice as ninepence"

    The origin of the idiom "nice as ninepence" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in England in the 19th century. The phrase "nice as ninepence" may have been derived from the fact that a ninepence coin was considered to be a tidy sum of money, or from the idea that being nice and well-behaved was as valuable as having ninepence. Over time, the phrase has become a popular idiom used to describe someone or something that is very pleasant and well-behaved, or neat and tidy. Examples of its usage can be found in literature and everyday conversation.